Camorra boss Luciano Barattolo traveled with an escort: the summits against the Continis

Naples – Luciano Barattolo , nephew of the boss Vincenzo Mazzarella , was the leader of the powerful clan. He moved through the streets of Naples escorted by a veritable patrol of "bodyguards," as also documented photographically by the police.

In-depth investigations have shed light on his charismatic power and the clan's command structure, revealing a dense web of illicit activities and war strategies against rival clans.

The operational base and control of the territory

Barattolo's movements, constantly monitored by investigators, led to the discovery of one of his favorite meeting places with his associates: a recreational club on Via Carbonara , a short walk from the Buonerba family home in Forcella. Here, the regent issued directives on all the clan's activities: from drug dealing to arms trafficking to extortion.

 The death of the father and the condolences of the clan

His decision-making power and influence over members of other clans emerged clearly, for example, on the occasion of his father's death in May 2023. Numerous criminal figures went to offer their condolences to him and his mother, Giuseppina Mazzarella , a testament to his influence in the Camorra environment.

The war with the Continis and the summits

The wiretaps revealed the organization of secret summits to plan actions against members of the Contini clan , part of the powerful Secondigliano Alliance cartel, with which the Mazzarellas were competing for control of some areas of central Naples.

Between August and November 2023, the city was the scene of a dozen shootings in the Mazzarella area, attributed to Contini's men, specifically the Marigliano delle Case Nuove group. Among these incidents, the wounding of Raffaele Frenna on the evening of November 5, while he was with Gennaro Mazzarella , stands out.

A key wiretap from November 8, 2023, captured a tense conversation between Barattolo and Ciro Marigliano , father of Emmanuele Marigliano (believed to be the perpetrator of Frenna's wounding). Barattolo, visibly nervous, explained that the invasion of his territory required "satisfaction" not only for himself, but for "numerous other people."

The tone became harsh over the choice of location for a clarifying meeting: Barattolo insisted on the “Case Nuove”, near the home of “Lulù” ( Vincenzo Caldarelli ), to give an account of the meeting to others, while Marigliano proposed another location so as not to “make a bad impression” in front of “our comrades”.

Barattolo later clarified that, given his position within the clan and the invasion of their territory, he could not "wash his hands of it." Marigliano himself suggested that Barattolo contact a prominent member of the Contini clan to resolve the situation. Despite this, Barattolo decided not to attend the meeting, having Stefano Capuano replace him , who criticized him for his decision.

The "clarification" phone call with Ciro Marigliano

Jar L.: Eh… how… why this thing? I mean, since, for example, my relative in front of me… the thing about my relative… listen to me, I just want to say one thing, no… unfortunately, believe me or not, I'm the only boy who doesn't… I mean, I'm not really thinking about it, but unfortunately, 50 of them come up here with ul…Marigliano Ciro: Can you hear me, oh bro, you… how did we stay, because, aside, you should have made yourself heard first…Jar L.: Well, well, oh uncle, excuse me for a moment, but how is it, I have to come and tell you something that I was wronged in front of my cousin (referring to Mazzarella Gennaro), in front of my relative... my nephew...Jar L.: But wait… wait, oh bro… wait, wait… wait, oh bro… excuse me for a moment… excuse me for a moment… oh uncle, but seriously, because then you have to die. Just one thing, we have to meet up at Lulù's (Vincenzo Caldarelli), but no because… because I'm coming from the ends of the earth, because I don't give a damn, but I have to answer for it and we have to meet up at Lulù's.Leo Gennaro: I mean, now I say, no… I mean, now he's already said, for example, in that part, he's of an age… there are also some of our comrades, you're making him look bad.Jar L.: [He explains that, due to his role in the clan and the invasion of their territory, he cannot “wash his hands of it.”]Marigliano CiroYou had to tell that guy… you have to call that guy… and see what he says… You have to say… you love each other…
Capuano S.: Well, no, you're right about that, but you had to be there now... but we have to see what needs to be done... but...

The clash with San Giovanniello: "Let's go down and dance the tarantella."

Instead, in another summit with his most loyal followers, Luciano Barattolo explains that he is ready for an armed clash with the San Giovanniello group linked to the Continis.
“But I'm thinking of something, Emanuè... I think we need to call these guys from San Giovanniello right away, right away! Why? Because now we're going down and doing the tarantella... What do you want to do? Guy, there's shooting all over the place, brother. Here, grab your friend who's looking askance, and that other one like that... What do you want to do, brother?”

The thousand-plus pages of the precautionary order signed by investigating judge Gianluigi Visco , which yesterday led to the arrest of 18 high-ranking members of the gang, include not only wiretaps, environmental recordings, and CCTV footage, but also statements from three prominent informants: Cristiano Piezzo, Umberto D'Amico , and, most importantly, Salvatore Giuliano, known as the Russian, who was once linked to the Mazzarella gang.

The statements of the repentants and the ramifications of the clan

From the investigation documents, coordinated by the Neapolitan DDA, it clearly emerges that the center of Naples is contested territory between the Mazzarella and Contini clans, historic rivals within the city's Camorra scene. In particular, the "Connolo" area—Via Miccoli and its surroundings—is under the direct control of Barattolo and his most loyal followers: Gaetano Galiero, Rosario Ciro Mazio, Ferdinando Spirito, Achille Liparulo, Pietro Uliano, Giuseppina Mazzarella, and Emanuele Giovanniello.

Other branches of the clan, identified in the more than one thousand pages of the precautionary order signed by the investigating judge, operated in various areas of the city: in the Luzzatti district , under the command of Cristian Nunziata ; in the San Giovanni a Carbonara area with the Buonerba family (Pasquale, Eduardo and Giuseppe), supported by other relatives; and again in Forcella and Maddalena , where the group led by Giuseppe Del Prete operated , also assisted by his minor son Alessandro.

(in the photo, starting from the top left, Luciano Barattolo, Michele Mazzarella jr., Michele Mazzarella 'o fenomeno, Raffaele Anastasio, Ciro Rosario Mazio, and Emanuele Amoroso; at the bottom, again from the left, Angelo Della Torre, Vincenzo Scando, Gaetano Galiero, Raffaele Anastasio, and Cristian Nunziata)