Cardito - The courageous denunciation by the owner of a slot machine parlor in Cardito has ended the Camorra careers of three members of the Ullero clan. They are charged with attempted extortion aggravated by mafia methods and complicity.
They are Antonio Auletta, 54, Geremia Iavarone, 29, and Cristofer Troia, 22. They were sent to prison by the Naples Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA), which obtained a precautionary custody order issued by Mariano Sorrentino, Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Court of Naples.
Attempted extortion: "Extortion" on slot machines
According to the prosecution, the three suspects wanted to force a business agent and an employee of a slot machine company to pay two separate sums of money.
The dynamics reconstructed by investigators reveal a clear Camorra-style approach, with explicit and implicit threats aimed at making the victim believe they were dealing with members of local organized crime. The alleged events allegedly took place on July 15, 2025, in Cardito, in the Carditello area of Piazza Giovanni XXIII.
The threats: "Now we're in charge"
Geremia Iavarone's role was apparently that of an intermediary: he invited the procurer to the meeting place, then introduced him to the other two suspects, Antonio Auletta and Cristofer Troia, and actively participated in the extortion phase, telling the victim: "Talk to the owner tomorrow, let's talk and see each other."
The most direct threats, laden with a disturbing criminal aura, were reportedly uttered by Antonio Auletta: “Those who were here before are now in prison, we're in charge now, you have to pay us €500,00 at Christmas, Easter, and August to keep the slot machines in the local Reverse bar.”
“You have to remove all the slot machines from the bar by tomorrow morning, otherwise I'll break everything.”
The annual extortion demand, the classic "pizzo," amounted to 1500 euros, to be paid in three installments coinciding with the Christmas, Easter, and August holidays, to allow the slot machines to remain in the bar.
To this was added another €3.000, requested as half of a €6.000 payment the victim was supposed to receive for renovation work at the same bar, an amount the slot machine company had advanced. "So I'll get the €6000,00, and we'll make €3000,00 for you and €3000,00 for us," Auletta allegedly insisted.
Cristofer Troia also allegedly contributed to the intimidation with the phrase: "If you don't pay by tomorrow, you must remove all the slot machines from the bar or I'll break everything."
The courageous denunciation
Immediately after the meeting, as the mediator was driving away, Troia reportedly called him back and told him not to bring his cell phone with him: “Leave your phone in the car and come.”
The extortion attempt, however, was unsuccessful thanks to the entrepreneur's courageous report to the police.
What happened in Cardito is a very serious matter. Organized crime must have no place in our lives. We hope that justice will take its course and that those responsible will be severely punished for their actions.
The entrepreneur's denunciation is certainly a courageous act, but too many people are still afraid to speak out. Society must support those who oppose the mafia and raise their voices against these crimes.
Yes, but it's strange how certain situations continue to recur over time, despite reports and arrests. We must do more to combat these forms of extortion and intimidation in our neighborhoods.