Italy cracks down on 2 alleged mafia networks

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) - Italian authorities on Tuesday detained 27 people in two separate anti-mafia operations targeting organized crime networks across the country.

Prosecutors in the southern town of Catanzaro issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals suspected of belonging to the Calabrian criminal organization 'Ndrangheta.

They are also accused of extortion and of illegally holding war and other weapons. The arrests were carried out in several cities, including Milan, Verona and Naples.

The ‘Ndrangheta is one of the most extensive and powerful criminal organizations in the world, according to Interpol.

A second operation led to the detention of 10 people accused of links with Neapolitan organized criminal networks.

The detainees, whose arrests were ordered by prosecutors in Bologna, are also accused of issuing false invoices for a total of €10 million ($10.8 million), money laundering and other crimes.

Authorities also seized €2 million in suspected illegal proceeds as part of the investigation.

The 17 individuals detained in the Catanzaro operation are under preventive detention, which Italian judges can order if there is a risk that suspects can flee, hide proof of their alleged crimes or commit the illicit acts again.

A judge will later decide whether to confirm the detentions and send the suspects to trial.