Organized crime is not a static monolith, but a dynamic enterprise capable of adapting, forging strategic alliances, and passing the baton to new generations. This is the picture emerging from the Naples DDA's extensive investigation into the "Contini clan," and specifically its operational offshoot known as the "Porticati Group," rooted in the San Giovanniello area of Naples. The investigation culminated in the more than 400-page precautionary order signed by investigating judge Sabato Abagnale.
The ordinance does not limit itself to targeting drug dealing areas, but reconstructs decades of criminal history, revealing how the mafia cartel managed to infiltrate the legal economy, guarantee impunity and modernise its forms of intimidation.
A widespread and suffocating control, combining the traditional methods of organized crime with the new frontiers of digital intimidation and drug trafficking. A merciless x-ray of Camorra power emerges from the latest pre-trial detention order that decapitated the San Giovanniello group, a key branch of the Contini clan, itself a pillar of the historic "Secondigliano Alliance."
The Secondigliano Alliance and the Mafia Peace
To understand the power of the Porticati Group, investigators start at the top: the Secondigliano Alliance (also known as “the System”).
The ordinance describes a veritable mafia pax, a pact of mutual respect to divide illicit profits and avoid wars that would draw in law enforcement. Over time, this federation has forged cooperative ties with a constellation of other groups: from the Cesaranos to the Grimaldis, from the Vastarella della Sanità to strategic alliances with powerful autonomous cartels such as the Lo Russos, the Di Lauros, the Moccia clan of Afragola, the Amato-Paganos, and even the Casalesis.
The geography of power: lieutenants on the territory
According to the documents, the Contini clan fragmented the control of Naples by entrusting the neighborhoods to trusted lieutenants:
Vasto-Arenaccia: Directed by Nicola Rullo and Antonio Muscerino.
Borgo Sant'Antonio Abate: Managed by Gaetano Ammendola and Vincenzo Tolomelli.
Rione Amicizia: Under the guidance of Salvatore Botta.
Stadera-Poggioreale: Managed by Paolo Di Mauro (until his death).
San Giovanniello: Historically directed by Antonio Aieta, Alfredo De Feo and Carmine Botta.
It is in this chessboard that the Porticati Group forcefully enters, assuming hegemony over San Giovanniello under the leadership of the new scion: Patrizio Bosti Junior.
The "Porticati" holding company: its roles and military arsenal
The organization led by Patrizio Bosti Jr. (Ettore's son and grandson of founder Patrizio Sr.) operated as an independent company, yet remained loyal to the parent company. Bosti Jr. was not just a military leader, but a criminal manager. He shared strategies with the top brass, managed the "common fund," paid his affiliates monthly salaries, and financed the purchase of heavy weaponry.
The order charges him with possessing an impressive arsenal, not yet seized, consisting of seven submachine guns and a shotgun, tools used to assert the clan's "governing role" in the territory.
A well-defined organizational chart operated alongside him:
George Marasco (the gunsmith and organizer): he oversaw drug trafficking and organized activities to keep his associates in prison.
Gennaro Diano (the custodian and treasurer): the armed wing responsible for concealing the weapons. He was responsible for managing the Postepay top-ups used to transfer funds to the detained members.
The "Armed Wing” (Emanuele Rubino, Antonio Raia, Francesco Matteo, Franco Messina): Affiliates ready to launch firefights to safeguard territorial supremacy against rival groups.
Samuel Nicosia: material executor of the directives, including those that Marasco sent from prison.
The drug monopoly: the "Sala Regia" and delivery
The group's main income came from trafficking cocaine, hashish, and marijuana. The Porticati were not only a base for hiding drugs, but also the place where decision-making summits were held.
The group's innovation lay in its drug dealing method. Investigators documented the existence of a veritable "control room," headed by Gaetano Galiero. His role was similar to that of a logistics company switchboard operator: he received orders from customers and forwarded them by radio or telephone to traveling "pushers" (Mario Serlenga, Nicosia, Diano, and the young Messina). They then prepared the doses and delivered them to the patients' homes, reducing the risk of street seizures.
Beyond Drug Dealing: Elderly Scams Across Europe
A particularly disturbing aspect of the ordinance concerns the diversification of crimes. To fill the clan's coffers, the group organized predatory crimes (thefts and robberies) not only in Campania, but throughout Italy and abroad.
Even more serious is the accusation leveled against Bosti Jr., Marasco, Raia, Rubino, and Messina: the systematic planning of fraud against the elderly. Using indirect intimidation and well-rehearsed deception techniques, the group preyed on the most vulnerable segments of the population. An illicit and ruthless "ATM," it served to cover the bosses' legal costs and finance the purchase of weapons of war.
The "Cala La Pasta" case: violence, cover-ups, and social media threats
The gang's arrogance is demonstrated by their handling of the aftermath of the attack at the "Cala La Pasta" restaurant, an episode in which the clan showed its most violent side in the heart of Naples.
The order reconstructs the protection network established to ensure impunity for the perpetrators (including Bosti Jr. himself). On the one hand, logistical support: Mario Riccitiello is accused of having given his official identity card (issued by the City of Naples in May 2022) to Luigi Capuano (a participant in the punitive expedition), allowing him to affix his photograph to it to facilitate his escape.
On the other hand, the repression of dissent through the "digital Camorra." To silence restaurant owner Raffaele Del Gaudio, Ferdinando Russo created a fake Instagram account (priva_te1116). The direct messages sent to the restaurateur demonstrate the typical mafia intimidation applied to social media:
“It's better to keep quiet and faciv and fuck yours” (accompanied by the kisses emoji).
“Statt accort… e fmut e vivr ammo” (you’re done living, love).
“You’re sorry” (commenting on a photo of a plate of gnocchi at the restaurant).
Russo's threats were direct and suffocating, a clear attempt to mark his territory, even virtually: “Come to the neighborhood… I'm not hiding, my name is Giuseppe Verde… yesterday I was going to add you to the manger, you're eating a nice carbonara… call the police… I know where to find you.”
This psychological pressure was designed to protect the organization's top brass, demonstrating that the Porticati Group feared not only the law, but above all the courage of those on the ground who chose not to bow their heads.
The list of suspects
Atteo Christian (born in Naples 30.06.2003)
Bosti Patrizio Jr. (born in Naples on 23.10.2003) PRISON
Cataldo Donato (born in Naples on 25.4.1974)
D'Agostino Emanuele (born in Naples on August 16, 1997)
De Rosa Giuseppe (born in Naples on August 8, 1970)
Di Gennaro Salvatore (born in Naples on 20.10.2003)
Diano Gennaro (born in Naples on February 2, 2004) PRISON
Galiero Gaetano (born in Naples on 18.5.1994) RESIDENCE PROHIBITED
Grammatica Carmine (born in Naples on 7-04. 2003)
Leatico Marco. (born in Naples on May 15.05, 2003)
Giorgio Marasco (born in Naples on August 14.08, 2003)
Marasco Violante (born in Naples on 25.12.1982) PRISON
Matteo Francesco (born in Naples on April 21, 2005)
Messina Franco (born in Naples on 9.9.2005) PRISON
Nicosia Samuele. (born in Naples on June 16, 2003) – RESIDENCE PROHIBITED
Pepillo Paolo (born in Naples on 28.11.1974)
Raia Antonio (born in Naples on 28.7.2004) PRISON
Riccitiello Mario (born in Naples on 6.6.1987)
Rizzo Francesco Pio (born in Naples on 9.11.2004)
Rubino Emanuele (born in Naples on 7.8.1997) PRISON
Russo Ferdinando (born 5.3.2002)
Serlenga Mario (born in Naples on 10.9.2003) RESIDENCE PROHIBITED
(in the photo, from top left: Patrizio Bosti Jr., Giorgio Marasco, and Antonio Raia; bottom left: Samuele Nicosia, Gennaro Diano, and Francesco Matteo)
In short
Organized crime is not a static monolith, but a corporation capable of adapting, forming strategic alliances, and passing the baton to new generations.
- This is the picture that emerges from the powerful investigation by the Naples DDA into the "Contini clan," and in particular into…
- The ordinance doesn't just target drug dealing centers, but reconstructs decades of criminal history, revealing how the cartel...
- A widespread and suffocating control, which combined the traditional methods of organized crime with the new frontiers of digital intimidation and…
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
Organized crime is not a static monolith, but a corporation capable of adapting, forming strategic alliances, and passing the baton to new generations.
Why is this news relevant?
This is the picture that emerges from the powerful investigation by the Naples DDA into the "Contini clan," and in particular into…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
The ordinance doesn't just target drug dealing centers, but reconstructs decades of criminal history, revealing how the mafia cartel managed to…
A long and well-documented article, but it seems too cold and bureaucratic. This investigation describes too many steps and alliances, but it remains difficult to follow for those not in the industry. The appointments and the lieutenants are poorly explained, the salary structure and delivery seem exaggerated and confusing, and not everything seems clear to me.