Two alleged Pagnozzi clan members arrested for usury and extortion at supermarkets.

Two members believed to be close to an alleged branch of the Pagnozzi Camorra clan were arrested by Carabinieri in Avellino and Benevento, concluding an investigation coordinated by the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA). At the center of the investigation were usurious loans with daily interest rates of 20% and an extortion scheme targeting a company recruiting staff for supermarkets in the Valle Caudina: for each hire, the two demanded €100, plus a €450 "gift."

The two defendants, De Paola and Sepe, are accused of usurious rates and "compensation" for delays.

Those arrested are Mario De Paola, 33, from San Martino Valle Caudina, and Giovanni Sepe, 39, from Cervinara. According to investigators, after lending €500 to a local resident, the two men allegedly charged 20% interest for the first five days. In the event of late payment, the interest doubled and a further "compensation" of between €100 and €250 was demanded.

Regarding the extortion, the representative of a recruitment agency was allegedly forced to pay €100 for each employee hired, in addition to a sum of €450 described as a "gift." On another occasion, the suspects also allegedly forced the hiring of a person under house arrest.

The interrogation and territorial jurisdiction

Defense: "The competent court is the one in Naples." During the preliminary hearing, the two suspects exercised their right to remain silent. Their lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the Avellino preliminary investigations judge, who confirmed the arrests, arguing instead that the proper court is the Court of Naples.