Arzano, the end of the 167 clan's criminal empire: immediate trial for the 26 involved in the feud.

The Naples Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) has struck down the "167 clan" of Arzano. The Naples preliminary investigations judge, Leda Rossetti, has signed the order for the immediate trial of twenty-six defendants, held to varying degrees responsible for the management and bloody military expansion of the Camorra-style criminal syndicate, rooted in the northern Naples area and a direct offshoot of the broader Amato-Pagano alliance.

A monumental measure that captures the years of terror experienced within the public housing estates, marked by police raids, intimidating gunfire, drug dealing hubs, and horrifying internal executions driven by tragic identity mistakes.

The criminal context: Arzano between armored strongholds, internal feuds and red-hot lead

The Arzano area, and in particular the residential complex known as the "167" district, has established itself over the years as one of the most heated and turbulent criminal hubs in the province of Naples. The hegemonic control of the territory, managed through a rigid system of intimidation, subjugation, and silence, has not been relented, even in the face of repeated state intervention. The gang has operated along a path of continuity and ferocious internal counterfeiting, governed by a hierarchical structure capable of regenerating itself despite the constant arrests of its historic leaders.

The clan's criminal fabric has been profoundly shaken by a series of bloody events that have exposed the clan's internal rifts and tensions. Last February and March, the area was the scene of raids and high-profile murders that decapitated the organization's leaders. Among the innocent victims who paid with their lives for the gang's blind fury were house painter Rosario Coppola, killed on February 4th, and Armando Lupoli, slain on March 7th.

The latter, in particular, was considered by his own clan to be the material author of the tragic mistake of identity that Coppoa was the victim of, a carelessness paid for with his life in a brutal internal execution ordered to punish the affront.

To further complicate matters, a full-blown war for succession to the leadership erupted. Following the arrest and imprisonment of the longtime regents, the criminal alliance splintered into armed factions: on one side, the group linked to the loyal Monfregolo clan, and on the other, the fringe group led by Salvatore Romano (known as Sasi) and Davide Pescatore (known as Pal 'e fierr).

A feud fought with widespread extortion of local merchants, intimidating raids, secret summits, and the possession of a veritable arsenal of war weapons and firearms, used to mark territory and reaffirm criminal supremacy.

X-ray of the positions: the charges against the twenty-six defendants

The decree signed by the GIP lists in detail the positions of the twenty-six defendants, outlining the roles they held within the Camorra structure and the individual criminal episodes contested, which range from armed mafia association to aggravated extortion, from usury to the illegal possession of weapons and communications in prison.

Giuseppe Monfregolo : Considered one of the clan's leaders, promoters, and organizers. Even during his detention and subsequent precautionary measures, he continued to dictate the clan's strategic lines, planning forceful actions and managing the coffers and internal and external power relations. He is also accused of mafia association, extortion, and having unlawfully introduced and used cell phones inside Rome's Rebibbia prison to maintain contact with free members.

Mariano Monfregolo : The clan's leader and organizer, he acted as its operational arm and enforcer of the strategic directives agreed upon with his brother Giuseppe. He actively participated in the reorganization of the organization, the imposition of extortion, and the organization of marches and demonstrations aimed at regaining control of the public housing estates.

Monfregolo Raffaele : He played the role of organizer within the association structure, participating in summits for planning criminal activities, personally overseeing the management of extortion and coordinating territorial control activities.

Romano Salvatore (aka Sasi) : Considered one of the faction's most active leaders and promoters. After overseeing the clan's fortunes as the main organizer and collector of illicit proceeds, starting in late 2025 he allegedly led a bloody armed feud against Davide Pescatore's opposing faction to regain full control of the territory. He faces charges of mafia association and a series of aggravated extortions against local merchants.

Davide Pescatore (aka Pal 'e fierr) : Leader, promoter, and organizer of the clan. Released from prison in December 2025, he took over the reins of the faction opposing Salvatore Romano's, sparking a violent armed conflict for dominance. He also faces charges of aggravated usury, extortion, and possession of communication devices in prison.

Gambino Angelo Antonio : Believed to be the clan's leader and organizer since November 2021. Despite his periods of detention, he continued to receive the monthly salary reserved for top members (mesata), providing strategic directives on command structures and returning to direct the overall activities of the organization until his arrest.

Antonio Caiazzo (known as AC) : He served as treasurer and right-hand man to the clan's leaders. He was responsible for managing the clan's common fund and distributing monthly allowances to free and incarcerated members. He first assisted Salvatore Romano and then Davide Pescatore in managing extortion and in the clan's operational management, also facing charges of illegal weapons possession.

Alterio Gennaro : Member of the mafia organization, with specific tasks in managing and enforcing extortion against merchants and construction companies operating in the Arzano area, as well as military control of the territory.

Alterio Raffaele (known as 'o piegherò) : Organizer of the clan, coordinator of extortion activities and integral part of the organization's strategic decisions, benefiting from the financial support guaranteed by the common fund even during detention.

Alterio Antonio : Affiliate with territorial control duties, constant guarding of the public housing blocks – considered the clan's impregnable stronghold – and in charge of the personal escort of the clan leader Giuseppe Monfregolo.

Gentili Franco Marco : Participates in the clan's operational meetings and summits, is employed in territorial control services, in the escort of the leaders and in the physical imposition of extortion on the owners of local businesses.

Lupoli Salvatore (aka Trombone) : An active member of the racketeering and extortionist security forces, he served as an escort for the bosses and actively participated in the internal feud, siding with Salvatore Romano against the opposing faction. He also faces charges of illegal possession of firearms.

Piscopo Raffaele : Participant in the criminal structure with operational tasks of territorial control and the physical execution of extortion demands against shopkeepers.

D'Aria Mario (known as Marittiell) : Giuseppe Monfregolo's right-hand man, whose safety and security he personally took care of, participating in summits and managing the military control of sensitive areas.

Giuseppe Bussola : Bodyguard and security officer for the top bosses (Angelo Antonio Gambino and Davide Pescatore), employed in patrolling and constantly monitoring the territory.

Bussola Salvatore (known as Scarulella) : A stable participant at the disposal of the mafia organization, present at the top decision-making levels and beneficiary of the regular economic income guaranteed by the clan despite his state of detention.

Domenico Russo (aka 'o Mussut) : A prominent organizer. Despite being held in prison, he allegedly continued to issue strategic directives to free members (particularly Salvatore Bussola), regularly receiving monthly payments and supporting the hardline stance of Salvatore Romano's faction. He is also accused of possessing and using cell phones while in prison.

Aruta Fabio : Actively involved in territorial control and extortion collection, author of punitive expeditions and aggravated threats against residents and merchants.

Actress Francesco (known as Francuccio 'o ferrar) : Giuseppe Monfregolo's right-hand man, responsible for the safekeeping of the clan's weapons, the preparation of safe hiding places for drugs and weapons, and the forced occupation of homes taken from the families of opponents.

Scognamiglio Vittorio: Affiliated through the intervention of the top brass, he handled the logistical phase of the extortion and the rental of clean vehicles to be used for the clan's operations, registering the contracts in the names of unsuspecting front men.

Rea Mattia (known as 'o Cinese) : Salvatore Romano's most loyal follower and bodyguard, employed on the front lines in the imposition and collection of extortionate bribes from local merchants during the feud.

Lupoli Umberto (known as 'o Nano) : Made available to the criminal gang with logistical and operational support tasks, deployed alongside Salvatore Romano's faction in the internal armed conflict.

Silvestro Raffaele : He provided a fundamental logistical contribution by making his home (located in Via Silone) permanently available to the clan as an operational base and meeting place for affiliate summits, as well as assisting Romano's faction in the feud.

Leotta Pietroangelo (known as 'o Chiatt) : Organizer and collector of extortion, he became Antonio Caiazzo's right-hand man after the arrest of other henchmen, involved in aggravated extortion against local businesses.

Napoleone Renato : Considered one of the historical leaders, promoters and absolute points of reference for the clan's regents even after his capture and detention, capable of orienting the general strategies and the division of illicit proceeds.

Olivello Andrea: Employed in the local military garrison, initially active in the drug dealing sector and later converted to the system of extortion and extortionate taxes to the detriment of local shopkeepers.

The procedural stages and the trial

The immediate trial ordered by preliminary hearing judge Leda Rossetti eliminates the preliminary hearing phase, drawing on the evidence gathered over years of meticulous investigations coordinated by the Naples District Anti-Mafia Office (under deputy prosecutors Giuliano Caputo and Daniela Varone) and conducted on the ground by the Carabinieri Investigative Unit of Castello di Cisterna.

The defendants' trial will formally begin before the Second Collegiate Section (College C) of the Court of Naples, with the first hearing scheduled for November 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Within the legal deadline, the defense attorneys will have to evaluate any requests for alternative procedures (such as a fast-track trial or a combined sentence) or prepare witness lists for a trial that promises to be complex and crucial to putting an end to the period of violence and terror experienced in Arzano.

PB

(in the photo, top left: Salvatore Sasy Romano, Davide Pescatore, Angelo Antonio Gambino, Antonio Caiazza, Giuseppe Monfregolo, Raffaele Monfregolo, and Mattia Rea; bottom left: Andrea Olivello, Gennaro Salvati, Domenico Russo, Pietrangelo Leotta, Renato Napoleone, Francesco Russo, and Francesco Attrice)