Naples – Amid fear, silence, and partial admissions from the victims, the Carabinieri of the Torre Annunziata Group have executed a new precautionary measure against members of the Rea-Veneruso clan, a criminal syndicate operating for years between Casalnuovo and Volla.
Six measures were carried out against individuals already known to law enforcement, now seriously suspected, to varying degrees, of the crime of extortion aggravated by mafia methods. Four of the suspects were already in custody at the time of the execution.
At the top of the organization, according to the prosecution, remains Francesco Rea, alias 'o pagliesco, believed to be the clan's chief promoter and considered by investigators to be the true dominus of the criminal activity in the area for almost thirty years, capable of issuing orders even from prison.
The criminal context
The investigation, coordinated by the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate and conducted by the Carabinieri Investigative Unit, is part of a continuing investigation launched after the murder of Pasquale Manna, alias Pasqualino, killed on March 2, 2023, by a pair of hitmen between Volla and Casalnuovo.
Following the trail of that ambush, which had already led to the arrest of Rea and other alleged associates, investigators documented a series of extortion attacks against local businessmen, particularly in the construction and beverage distribution sectors.
Protection money for entrepreneurs
According to reports, the victims were allegedly forced to pay sums of money to continue working "without problems." In at least one case, a construction contractor allegedly handed over a thousand euros to the clan's agents. Furthermore, the same contractor was allegedly the recipient of a much more onerous request, a bribe of 20 euros, presented as a "share proportional to earnings."
Similar claims were also made against a beverage and alcohol distributor, a sign of widespread control of the territory and economic activities.
Telephone and environmental wiretaps were crucial to reconstructing the facts, revealing pressure, complaints, and actual threats.
Wiretaps and silence
An outburst captured on July 25th is emblematic: the building contractor, exasperated by Felice Romano's pressure—at Fabio Luino's instigation—attempts to rebel, calling it a "gift for a quiet life" and contesting the obligation to pay undue sums.
A few days later, summoned to the police station, the man admitted to paying the bribe. This decision sparked a reaction from his son, who was intercepted while harshly berating his father in the Carabinieri waiting room: a conversation that vividly conveys the climate of silence and fear that still prevails. "You have to keep your mouth shut," is the warning that sums up a culture of silence that is difficult to break.
The Manna murder issue
The murder of Pasquale Manna lingers at the bottom of the investigation. New evidence has been provided by collaborator with justice Giovanni Braccia, a former member of the De Micco clan of Ponticelli.
According to his account, recorded on February 6th, Rea—as soon as he was released—demanded payment of the extortion sums not only from businessmen, but also from clan members. Manna, however, refused to pay, and this refusal cost him his life.
In the next few hours, the six suspects will appear before investigating judge Donatella Bove for preliminary hearings. All remain presumed innocent until a final conviction.
The investigation, however, continues. Investigators are not ruling out further developments and new investigative scenarios, while one fact is clearly emerging: even today, many extortion victims prefer to pay and deny the evidence, claiming that the donation is merely "charity."
The six suspects
Francesco Rea, alias 'o pagliesco, believed to be the head promoter of the Rea-Veneruso clan
Fabio Luino, Rea's brother-in-law
Antonio Laurato, son of Rea's ex-partner, indicated as the boss's proconsul
Domenico Raccioppoli
Felice Romano, alias 'o barbier
Antonio De Luca, alias 'o chiattone, father-in-law of Fabio Luino
(pictured from left: boss Francesco Rea, Fabio Luino, Felice Romano, Antonio Laurato, Domenico Raccioppoli, and Antonio De Luca)
SOURCE EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The article discusses very serious situations involving organized crime and extortion. It would be interesting to know if there are plans to help victims report these crimes and not remain silent, as often happens.