Sant'Antimo – A steely alliance to divide up the territory, a common fund to manage illicit profits, and an iron fist against merchants and entrepreneurs. This is the picture painted by the latest operation by the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate, which at dawn this morning led to the arrest of 14 people in Sant'Antimo and surrounding municipalities.
The Carabinieri of the Castello di Cisterna Investigative Unit have executed a precautionary detention order that undermines the local criminal underworld. Thirteen suspects have been sent to prison, while one has been placed under house arrest.
The criminal alliance and the “common fund”
The investigations revealed a disturbing background: the Puca, Verde, and Ranucci clans weren't at war, but had actually signed a division agreement. No longer loose cannons, but a structured cartel active not only in Sant'Antimo, but also in Sant'Arpino, Casandrino, and Grumo Nevano.
The agreement envisaged a rigid hierarchy and, above all, shared management of the proceeds: dirty money ended up in a single coffer, a symbol of a unity of purpose aimed at maximizing economic and military control of the area.
Extortion and arsenals: control of the territory
The gang's power rested on two pillars: racketeering and weapons. Investigators documented numerous incidents of extortion, both actual and attempted, against those attempting to do business in the area.
The group's intimidation, supported by the availability of a veritable arsenal, ensured the victims' silence. The illegal possession and carrying of weapons were, according to the DDA, everyday tools used to assert the clans' sovereignty and facilitate the activities of their respective groups.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (3)
I don't understand how they can continue to operate like this without being stopped. People should be more informed about what's happening around us, especially in these areas where control is so tight.
News of these arrests is increasingly frequent, but I wonder if law enforcement will be able to definitively stop this crime. Every time I read about these things, I feel helpless and sad.
The article discusses a very worrying alliance between clans. It seems there's no longer a war between them, but rather an agreement to share the profits. It's sad to see how organized crime can thrive even in these areas.