A new judicial chapter opens in the fight against the Camorra in the Vesuvian area. The summary trial began today before investigating judge Francesca Bardi for 21 people believed to be members of two criminal groups active between Somma Vesuviana and Sant'Anastasia and directly linked to the powerful Mazzarella clan of Naples.
The operation that led to the arrests dates back to last May, when the Carabinieri of the Castello di Cisterna Investigative Unit, at the request of the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate, executed a precautionary custody order.
Nineteen of the suspects were jailed, while two were placed under house arrest. The charges are serious, ranging from mafia-style association to drug trafficking, including weapons possession, drug dealing, and attempted extortion—all crimes aggravated by mafia methods.
The investigation, conducted throughout 2024 and largely based on wiretaps and environmental surveillance, shed light on the structure and operations of two distinct but federated criminal organizations under the aegis of the Mazzarellas. At the helm, according to investigators, was the boss Michele Mazzarella, nicknamed "the phenomenon." Despite being held in the Syracuse prison, he continued to issue orders and manage the illicit business.
The first group, based in Somma Vesuviana and traced back to Rosario De Bernardo, was mainly involved in drug trafficking.
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The organization had established itself to the point of creating an "alliance of the streets", forcing the pushers in the area to get their supplies exclusively from the clan or to pay a bribe in order to be able to operate in "peace of mind".
The second group, active in Sant'Anastasia and led by Raffaele Anastasio, specialized in extortion. They targeted local businessmen and merchants, demanding protection money to finance the clan's activities and financially support the families of prisoners.
Among the victims are companies operating in the renewable energy, car rental, and funeral services sectors. Last May's raid dealt a severe blow to this criminal network, dismantling a system that for years had exercised widespread control over the Vesuvian area.
On trial alongside Michele Mazzarella are Salvatore DiCaprio, Salvatore Giannetti, and Fabio Annunziata, as well as Clemente Correale, Rosario De Bernardo, and Carmela Miranda, who allegedly ran drug dealing centers.
Comments (1)
The article discusses a new judicial chapter, but there are so many names and details that it can be confusing. Furthermore, it appears to involve a complex organized crime network, but it's unclear how these conclusions were reached.