Camorra informants: "Giannino Ciccarelli is in charge at Parco Verde."

Caivano – It's Giovanni Ciccarelli, said "Giannino", the name that comes up repeatedly in the statements of collaborators of justice. According to the investigators' reconstructions, he is the current director of drug trafficking in Green Park from Caivano, who took over from the brothers Antonio and Domenico after their arrests and that of Nicola Sautto.

A succession that dates back to March 2020, when Giannino took over the leadership of the clan, establishing himself as the new head of the organization.

This is what emerges from the more than 150-page precautionary order signed today by investigating judge Antonino Santoro of office 24 of the Naples Court, which targeted the clan leader Giovanni Ciccarelli, 54, his brother Antonio Ciccarelli, 55, his nephew Ciro Ciccarelli, 31, and then two loyalists such as Ciro Di Pierno, 28, from Acerra, known as “Ciro o' bit,” and finally Gennaro De Marco, 55.

In command of the clan since 2020

The handover, the informants explain, was clear: Ciccarelli took over management, established strategies and objectives, and dictated the line to the gang leaders, imposing two options: obtain supplies directly from the clan or pay a monthly fee to operate independently. A centralized system, capable of guaranteeing the top management complete control of the revenue.

Alongside Giannino, in a prominent position, is his nephew Ciro Ciccarelli, son of Salvatore, described as his uncle's right-hand man. He was allegedly entrusted with delicate tasks: carrying out directives, keeping the books, collecting proceeds, and, above all, representing the clan at summits with other criminal groups. Not just accounting, however: Ciro is also said to have participated in intimidation and coercion against rival groups.

Statements from collaborators

The accusations don't come from a single source. Several collaborators—including Vincenzo Iuorio, Antonio Cocci, Francesco Capasso, Mariano Alberto Vasapollo, and Pasquale Cristiano—have painted a convergent picture. All, in various capacities, were part of the conspiracy and have already been considered credible in other legal proceedings.

According to the reports, after the arrests of Nicola and Genny Sautto and Massimo Gallo, in 2020 the criminal direction in Caivano passed to two figures: Antonio Angelino, alias Tibiuccio, and Giovanni Ciccarelli. The latter, identified as the clan's leader, managed the Parco Verde and Iacp district squares, but paid Angelino a fixed salary: €60 per month.

The break with Tibiuccio

The balance of power shifted in January 2022. Ciccarelli decided to free himself from Tibiuccio's invasive presence and gain absolute control of Parco Verde. Francesco Capasso recounts: the clan organized a raid against Angelino's men, a prelude to a division agreement. From prison, Domenico Ciccarelli allegedly brokered a deal: the Ciccarellis took exclusive control of Parco Verde, while Angelino retained control of Caivano.

Mariano Alberto Vasapollo, in his March 2022 report, confirmed this division: "Giovanni has become the head of the Ciccarelli clan, assisted by his nephew Ciro. They deal exclusively with drugs at Parco Verde.

In Caivano, however, Tibiuccio is in charge." These statements were reiterated a few months later by Pasquale Cristiano: "Today Caivano is divided: Giannino Ciccarelli is in the Parco Verde, while Tibiuccio runs the town. Before, Tibiuccio earned €60 a month from Ciccarelli."

Squares, apartments and income

The Parco Verde drug system, as described by the informants, appears widespread and profitable. Giovanni and Ciro allegedly directly control five street-level drug dealing centers, dedicated to the sale of crack, kobret, cocaine, hashish, and weed. The drug dealing centers, appointed by the clan, settle accounts directly with the two contacts.

At the same time, there are reportedly around ten apartment complexes specializing in cocaine. In these cases, the managers operate independently, but with a specific restriction: to purchase merchandise only from the Ciccarellis. The proceeds end up in the clan's coffers, which then distributes the funds among the complex leaders and guarantees financial support to the inmates and their families.

A system capable of generating impressive sums: according to reports, the business in the Parco Verde squares brought in approximately €150 a month. A river of money, managed through trusted agents who handled drug transportation and payment collection, with weekly deliveries of hundreds of grams of cocaine.

Alliances and shadows

The reconstruction of the external support that allowed the Ciccarellis to oust Tibiuccio from Parco Verde remains unclear. According to Capasso, the alliance with the Mazzarellas was decisive, while other collaborators, such as Vasapollo, attribute the support to the Secondigliano Alliance. These differences, however, do not alter the central fact: today, in Caivano, drug trafficking appears rigidly divided into two poles. At Parco Verde, Giannino Ciccarelli and his nephew Ciro are in charge; the influence of Antonio Angelino, Tibiuccio, remains in the town.

(in the photo the Caivano Verde park and from left Giannino Ciccarelli, his nephew Ciro and his brother Antonio)