Naples – Carabinieri officers from the Castello di Cisterna Investigative Unit have dealt a heavy blow to the Tammaro-Rea-Veneruso Camorra clan, one of the most deeply rooted criminal families in the Casalnuovo di Napoli area and neighboring municipalities such as Volla and Pomigliano d'Arco.
At dawn today, the men of the Carabinieri executed a precautionary custody order issued by the preliminary investigations judge (GIP) of the Court of Naples, at the request of the Neapolitan District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA).
Six people, including henchmen and trusted men, were arrested on charges of mafia-style association, illegal possession and carrying of firearms, as well as attempted extortion aggravated by mafia methods and the aim of benefiting the criminal group.
The investigation, coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Antonello Arciello and the prosecutors of the Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA), began with a series of surveillance and wiretaps conducted in recent months, which uncovered a remote control system orchestrated by the clan's main boss, currently detained in Poggioreale prison for previous drug trafficking offenses.
Despite prison restrictions, the clan leader—identified as Ciro Tammaro, 48, a prominent figure in the eponymous clan—reportedly continued to give precise instructions to free members, using a network of "clean" cell phones and encrypted messages to identify targets for the extortion racket.
From prison he imposed a bribe from 5 to 20 euros on entrepreneurs.
The investigation documents reveal a disturbing picture: the clan, known for its widespread control of commercial activities and construction sites in the Neapolitan "land of fires," allegedly attempted to "pinch" several local entrepreneurs, imposing bribes ranging between 5.000 and 20.000 euros.
Potential victims, according to investigators, include owners of mechanical workshops and freight transport companies, forced to pay fixed "protection" fees under the threat of violent retaliation.
The mafia's methods were evident, with intimidation ranging from vandalism to anonymous phone calls, always using the clan name as a deterrent. Among those arrested, Pasquale Rea, 35, cousin of another clan boss, stands out. He is accused of being the clan's "armed wing" in the area. Investigators are not only accusing him of being the actual perpetrator of the extortions, but also of possessing a 9x21 caliber semi-automatic pistol, modified to fire in automatic mode and hidden in a garage in Casalnuovo.
Two other key figures, a 42-year-old and a 29-year-old, are under investigation for transporting weapons and acting as "postmen" between prison and the streets, while the last two arrests involve minor accomplices accused of aiding and abetting.
The Tammaro-Rea-Veneruso clan, which arose in the late 90s
In recent years, after the arrest of several top officials, the organization seemed to be in trouble, but today's investigations demonstrate how boss Tammaro managed to stay in control, transforming the prison into an improvised "command office."
It's proof that the Camorra doesn't give up easily. The operation comes at a time of turmoil for Campania's organized crime, with the Naples Prosecutor's Office intensifying raids against clans to counter the post-pandemic resurgence of extortion.
The six arrested will be transferred to Secondigliano prison for preliminary hearings, expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, investigators are not ruling out further developments.
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The news of the arrests and investigations into mafia clans like Tammaro-Rea-Veneruso is very important for the security of the area. We hope these operations will lead to a reduction in extortion and violence in the Naples region.