Boss Francesco Rea imposed widespread extortion in Casalnuovo even from prison

Casalnuovo – Six precautionary measures have decapitated a powerful criminal organization that, according to the prosecution, violently controlled economic activities and drug trafficking in Casalnuovo di Napoli and surrounding areas. The gang's leader was boss Francesco Rea, known as "o Pagliesco," who, despite being in prison, continued to exercise his power and issue strategic directives.

The Carabinieri investigation, culminating in the warrant signed by investigating judge Antonio Santoro, documented how Rea used smartphones illegally brought into his cell to maintain contact and identify extortion targets. Acting as his operational interface in the area was Armando Tammaro, the leader of the eponymous criminal group, supported by his uncle, the experienced Luigi Tammaro.

 The "carpet" lace and the accounting

The clan's main activity was widespread extortion against local businesses and businesses. The two Tammaros were responsible for approaching, threatening, and collecting the "pizzo" (protection money), as well as supporting the detained members.

The picture of the violence clearly emerged from wiretaps. In one of them, Michele Benvenuto, one of the perpetrators, addresses a victim in chilling tones, demanding €20.000:

"Pasquale, Pasquale, maybe you don't understand who's in charge here, maybe when I tell you something you take it lightly... I told you I'll give you 24 hours, you have to bring me the money... otherwise, wherever I see you, I'll see you, I'll tear you to pieces, every day I'll cut a piece off you because what you're doing is very serious, I'll beat you up and make you spend 10 days in the hospital."

The investigation also led to the discovery of a notebook containing a list of commercial establishments accompanied by sums of money: the accounting of the businesses likely to be subjected to extortion, which confirmed the extent of the criminal control.

The bar and the encrypted communications center

The locations designated for the summits and meetings with other members of organized crime were two commercial establishments in Casalnuovo, both on Corso Umberto I, in the area known as "pùtechella": the "Bar Marina" and the "AM Informatica" telephone shop.

Both were run by Abramo De Vergori, who, according to investigators, played a crucial role, providing the premises and providing the gang with phone cards registered to front men or unsuspecting individuals, to ensure more secure and difficult-to-trace communications. In a criminal irony, De Vergori himself was later found to be the victim of extortion and brutal beatings by the clan, accused of "misbehaving."

 The key roles and the boss's "Family"

The clan's complex structure featured well-defined roles, all operating under the pressure of intimidation deriving from Rea's criminal caliber, having already been convicted of murder and Camorra association.

Heads and Strategic Referents

REA Francesco (said "or Pagliesco"):

• • Role: Leader and promoter of the clan
  • Assignments: Although detained, he maintained contact with his affiliates via smartphone, provided instructions on criminal targets and identified individuals to be subjected to extortion.
• TAMMARO Armando:
  • Role: Tammaro Group Representative e operating interface by Francesco Rea in the Casalnuovo area.
  • Assignments: He received orders and directives from Rea, managed the maintenance of the detained members and carried out the extortion and protection money collection, with the support of his uncle Luigi.
• TAMMARO Luigi:
  • Role: Close collaborator and advisor of his nephew Armando. A charismatic figure.
  • Assignments: He shared strategic decisions, handled relations with other criminal organizations (Neapolitan and Calabrian), carried out extortion and, through his partner Maria Fusco, maintained relations with the family of the Rea clan leader.

Participants and Operational Executors

WELCOME Michele:

• • Role: Participant and performer.
  • Assignments: He was in charge of collecting extortion and carrying out the punitive and violent actions on the territory.
• D'AMBROSIO Gennaro:
  • Role: Participant.
  • Assignments: It served as bodyguard, was involved in extortion and procured cars and motorcycles for the gang.
• THE CAT Ferdinando:
  • Role: Trustworthy man by Armando and Luigi Tammaro.
  • Assignments: He maintained contact with the Rea clan leader, organized meetings between Luigi Tammaro and other criminal figures, and carried out extortion and the collection of protection money.

Supporters and Logistics

• FUSCO Maria:
  • Role: Partner of Luigi Tammaro.
  • Assignments: Keep the relations with the clan leader's family Francesco Rea, in particular with his partner, Gabriella Luino.
• PAROLISI Antonio:
  • Role: Participant.
  • Assignments: He attended meetings, shared strategic choices and was available to the group for various illicit services.
• DE VERGORI Abraham:
  • Role: Logistics supporter.
  • Assignments: He made available the "Bar Marina" and the shop "AM Informatica" including summit venues of the clan and illicit business. He also provided associates with phone cards registered to unsuspecting or non-existent people.

In addition to extortion, the group had expanded its control over the narcotics market. The investigation was triggered by a complex investigative effort by the Carabinieri and received a decisive boost from the report of an extortion victim, which had already led to an arrest in flagrante delicto in September 2024.

The extreme violence of the suspects is also evidenced by the numerous documented beatings of individuals outside the organization who dared to deal drugs without authorization, confirming how the criminal dynamics of the Phlegraean region are marked by a real escalation in the use of force.