Rivers of drugs under the Mazzarella umbrella: the DDA is seeking 228 years in prison.

Naples - After the terse confessions, the defense briefs filed, and the appeals for clemency, the first-degree trial into the vast drug trafficking ring that allegedly traversed eastern Naples enters its decisive phase.

Before the investigating judge Bardi, in the proceedings held with an abbreviated procedure, 14 of the 21 defendants admitted their responsibilities, aiming for the recognition of mitigating circumstances and a reduction in their sentences.

They confessed: Raffaele Anastasio, Fabio Annunziata, Antonio Baia, Clemente Correale, Enzo Cuozzo, Roberto De Bernardo, Rosario De Bernardo, Clemente Di Cicco, Salvatore Esposito, Alessandro Lanzone, Salvatore Lanzone, Michele Mazzarella, Carmela Miranda and Francesco Scurti.

Two organizations, one master: the Mazzarella clan

The investigation by the Carabinieri of the Castello di Cisterna Investigative Unit revealed the existence of two distinct criminal organizations, formally independent but both linked to the Mazzarella clan, active in drug trafficking and extortion.

At the center of the system, as reconstructed in the more than 250-page precautionary order signed by investigating judge Leda Rossetti, is Michele Mazzarella, an inmate in Syracuse prison, believed to be the guarantor of the criminal monopoly over the Vesuvian area.

From prison, according to the prosecution, Mazzarella authorized drug dealing locations, managed supply channels, and collected weekly payments intended to support the clan and the inmates.

The drug dealing square in Fiordaliso Park

The operational heart of the trafficking was the Fiordaliso Park on Via San Sossio in Somma Vesuviana, where cocaine, crack, kobret, hashish and marijuana were sold.

The square was managed by Rosario De Bernardo, brother of Vincenzo "Pisello", killed in a Camorra ambush in 2015. After the arrest of Salvatore Di Caprio, known as Totore, the management was reorganized with the approval of Mazzarella, which came—according to the documents—at the end of a long video call from prison.

Alongside De Bernardo, Clemente Correale and his nephew Roberto De Bernardo operated, while other drug dealers, although managing their own businesses, paid a weekly bribe of between 400 and 500 euros or obtained regular supplies from the dominant group.

The Anastasio clan and the "direct line" to the boss

At the same time, the Anastasio clan emerged, active in Sant'Anastasia and led by Raffaele Anastasio, known as Felice. This group also operated with the consent of the Mazzarellas, with whom—as evidenced by wiretaps—it maintained a "direct telephone line."

The organization deals not only with drugs, but also with extortion, assistance to imprisoned members, and territorial control. The February 6, 2024, summit, intercepted at Rosario De Bernardo's home, is emblematic. Anastasio calls the Mazzarellas "the Family" and "our brothers."

A top-down and intimidating structure

According to the DDA, it is a stable, hierarchical, and intimidating Camorra structure, capable of imposing rules, resolving conflicts, and even settling private disputes, as evidenced by some environmental recordings.

Anastasio's charisma and the apical role of the leaders also emerge from documented mafia rituals, including the "kiss on the mouth" between affiliates, a symbolic gesture typical of Camorra tradition.

Prosecutor Visone's demands: 228 years in prison

At the end of the closing speech, the prosecutor Visone of the Naples DDA formulated requests for a total sentence of over 228 years of imprisonment,

List of individual conviction requests

• ANASTASIUS Raphael, Said "Happy" -

• ANNUNCIATION Fabio, Said “Masaniello” -

• BAY Antonio -

• BARRA Antonio - 10 years and 8 months

• BOVA Pink -

• GOOD CORE Ferdinand, Said “Donut” -

• CILIBERTI Luigi -

• CIVITA Fabio, Said “Black slut” -

• CORREALE Clemente - 13 years and 4 months

• CUOZZO Enzo - 5 years and 4 months

• DE BERNARDO Roberto -

• DE BERNARDO Rosary -

• DICAPRIO Salvatore, Said “Totore” -

• LANZONE Alessandro - 6 years and 6 months

• LANZONE Salvatore - 7 years and 10 months

• MARTINIELLO Carmine, Said “The Horseman” -

• Michael MAZZARELLA, Said “The Phenomenon” -

• MENNA Antonio -

• MIRANDA Carmela - 18 years and 4 months

• SCURTI Francesco -

• ESPOSITO Salvatore, called “Chocolate”

Total sentence requested: 228 years of imprisonment

The defense team includes lawyers Sergio Lino Morra, Domenico Dello Iacono, Giuseppe Milazzo, Immacolata Romano, Rosario Arienzo, Antonio Sorbilli and Leopoldo Perone.

(in the photo, from top left: Michele Mazzarella, the phenomenon, Raffaele Anastasio, Roberto De Bernardo, and Rosario De Bernardo; at the bottom, again from left: Salvatore Esposito, Francesco Scurti, Clemente Di Cicco, and Carmela Miranda)