Naples: A new blow to the Amato-Pagano clan: 11 arrests

Naples – Eleven precautionary measures have been executed by the Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate of Naples against individuals believed, in various capacities, to be affiliated with the Amato-Pagano Camorra clan. The order, issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Naples at the request of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate, was served by proxy on behalf of the Public Prosecutor.

The suspects are charged with Camorra-style criminal conspiracy, fictitious ownership of assets, and money laundering, with the aggravating circumstance of having acted to facilitate the criminal organization. The Amato-Pagano clan, also known as the "separatist" clan, operates regularly in the municipalities of Melito di Napoli and Mugnano, as well as in areas of the Neapolitan neighborhoods of Secondigliano and Scampia.

The operation represents a new chapter in a broader investigation conducted by the Naples DIA Operations Center and coordinated by the Naples DDA. The investigations targeted senior members of the clan, born from the bloody split from the historic Di Lauro group. This feud profoundly affected the criminal landscape in the northern Naples area.

Today's raid follows the precautionary measures already carried out on December 17, 2024, when 53 suspects were targeted, many of whom were believed to be top figures in the organization. On that occasion, investigators had reconstructed the clan's organizational chart, identifying the leadership as the direct descendants of founders Raffaele Amato and Cesare Pagano, both detained and subjected to the 41-bis prison regime.

According to new investigations, the Amato-Pagano clan remained fully operational, with a strong structure and a rigid division of roles. Alongside its established members, the organization also relied on external individuals who, while not formally affiliated with the organization, provided systematic and tangible contributions to its criminal activities.

Among the elements that emerged was the management of the so-called "mesate," sums of money earmarked for the families—particularly the wives—of detained members. According to investigators, the payments were calibrated based on the inmate's rank within the clan, confirming the existence of a criminal welfare system designed to keep the organization united.

Summits at the home of unsuspecting spouses from Melito

The investigations also shed light on the clan's need for "safe" locations for meetings and operational gatherings. In this context, serious evidence was gathered against a married couple who allegedly made their home, in the center of Melito di Napoli, available to host prominent members of the gang. During the meetings, the owners allegedly left the property, leaving it entirely at the disposal of the members.

Another line of investigation concerns the availability of high-value cars and motorcycles, de facto owned by prominent clan members but formally registered to companies linked to compliant entrepreneurs. To conceal the real owners and evade law enforcement, fake rental contracts were allegedly prepared.

Finally, the precautionary measure also alleges money laundering and self-laundering. According to the indictment, the funds were loaded onto prepaid credit cards and subsequently transferred abroad, particularly to Spain. The evidence also includes extortion attempts against local businessmen.

This operation, once again, demonstrates the Amato-Pagano clan's ability to regenerate and maintain control over large swathes of territory, despite the blows dealt in recent years by judicial investigations.