An armed organization, deeply rooted in the territory and capable of imposing silence with the weight of its name and criminal history. The Naples Anti-Mafia Directorate dismantles the Gagliardi clan: at its head is the boss Angelo "Mangianastri", a convicted mafia member. Extortion, drugs, and territorial control: this is how the Camorra reorganized after the dissolution of the La Torre clan.
The investigation that changes face
At first, it seemed like just another investigation, filed with the Santa Maria Capua Vetere Public Prosecutor's Office. Then, step by step, wiretap after wiretap, the picture broadened to reveal a far more complex and dangerous reality.
For this reason, the case was passed to the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate: because the drug trafficking loomed large, shadowy, and far from disjointed Camorra structure.
A Camorra that had never really stopped ruling Mondragone.
The boss and the criminal memory of the territory
At the center of it all is Angelo Gagliardi, born in 1954, known as "Mangianastri" (Tape Eater). A nickname that carries the weight of a sentence in Mondragone.
According to prosecutors, he is the leader and promoter of the clan that bears his name, reorganized after the collapse of the La Torre group. His return hasn't gone unnoticed: Gagliardi is a historic figure in the local Camorra, previously convicted of mafia association and crimes aggravated by mafia methods, and his mere mention is enough to reignite fear and subjugation.
His name is “spent”, used as an instrument of threat, as a mark of power.
The New Organization: Roles, Loyalty, and Violence
The Gagliardi clan, as reconstructed in the preliminary investigations judge's order, is not an improvised group. It is a hierarchical structure, with defined roles and a precise division of tasks.
Working alongside the boss are trusted men and long-time affiliates. Antonio Bova is the organizer, the boss's direct contact. Alessandro Martino, Guido Migliore, and Luciano Santoro are integral members of the syndicate, aware of belonging to a single mafia organization.
An armed clan, ready for violence, capable of imposing control over illegal activities and guaranteeing financial support to prisoners and their families. A system that doesn't even stop behind bars: even in prison, investigators explain, the gang continues to exist and make its impact felt.
Extortion and imposed “pleasures”
Among the disputed episodes, an extortion case stands out, which clearly illustrates the clan's mafia methods.
The victim, identified as Sergio, was approached and forced to pay. Not an explicit request, but a "pleasure" owed to him: this is how the handover of money was presented, justified as a demand from the mafia boss Gagliardi.
In November 2023, the pressure materialized: €1.000 was handed over to "solve a serious problem" attributed to the clan leader's brother. Another request was unsuccessful simply because the victim no longer had the necessary funds. But the message was clear: Gagliardi's name still reigns supreme in Mondragone.
The ordinance and the arrests
Preliminary Investigating Judge Maria Laura Ciollaro signs the warrant that leads to 13 arrests, five under house arrest, three under house arrest, and four under investigation at large. The alleged offences span a period from September 2023 to May 2024, with conduct deemed to be ongoing.
A severe blow to the clan, but also a snapshot of a Camorra capable of regenerating itself, leveraging criminal memory, fear, and bonds that endure time and convictions.
The 25 suspects
Angelo Gagliardi (69 years old), known as “Mangianastri”
Antonio Bova (23 years old)
Luciano Santoro (27 years old)
Romualdo Martella (22 years old), known as “Romoletto”
Luigi Raia (33 years old), known as “Gigino”
Emanuele Iacobucci (26 years old)
Alessandro De Pasquale (23 years old)
Alessandro Martino (49 years old), known as “Martone” or “Matto”
Mohamed Mahmoud (24 years old), known as “Diego”
Andrea Santoro (32 years old)
Fabiola Martella (23 years old)
Raffaele Santoro (51 years old), known as “Lelluccio”
Virgilio Vellucci (23 years old), known as “Bidusco”
Luigi Marcello (about 40 years old), known as “Chiattone” or “Faccella”
Giovanni Bova (18 years old)
Guido Migliore (32 years old), known as “Pokemon”
Salvatore Lazzaro (31 years old), known as “Lulù”
Domenico Tagliafierro (25 years old), known as “Mimmuccio”
Nicola La Rocca (34 years old)
Daniele Testa (27 years old)
Raffaele Di Rienzo (53 years old), known as “Pistolone”
Vera Assunta Gammella (24 years old)
Patrizia Brando (20 years old)
Petronilla Rota (45 years old)
Salvatore Petrillo (21 years old)
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The article is interesting, but there are many things I don't quite understand. How does a clan remain so strong over time? It's worrying to know that there are still people who support this system. Let's hope justice takes its course.