Italian police have charged over 130 suspected mafia members with crimes such as drug trafficking, attempted murder, and extortion after conducting multiple raids. REUTERS
Italian police carried out a massive operation on Tuesday, arresting around 130 people linked to the Sicilian mafia in Palermo. This large-scale mafia crackdown in Italy shows that the criminal organization, despite suffering setbacks over the years, remains a powerful force.
The arrested suspects are accused of crimes such as drug trafficking, attempted murder, extortion, illegal online gambling, and firearm possession, according to the Carabinieri police. In addition to these arrests, authorities issued warrants for 33 more individuals who are already serving time for other crimes.
Investigations have revealed that mafia families in Palermo continue to operate in a highly organized manner, much like they did in the past. Their main focus remains drug trafficking, a business that has long fueled their criminal activities. Over time, the power balance within the mafia has shifted. Previously, clans from the town of Corleone, the birthplace of infamous bosses Toto Riina and Bernardo Provenzano, held control. However, recent findings indicate that mafia families in Palermo’s inner city have regained influence.
Authorities also discovered that today’s mafia leaders use advanced technology to conduct their illegal operations. Encrypted mobile phones are smuggled into prisons, allowing jailed bosses to stay in charge and give orders from behind bars. This adaptation has helped them maintain control despite law enforcement efforts to dismantle their networks.
Despite repeated police crackdowns, Cosa Nostra continues to attract young members. Investigators documented an incident where a new recruit was receiving "mafia lessons" from an older member. The mentor instructed him on how to handle extortion targets and interact with higher-ranking mafia figures.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the operation, calling it a severe blow to Cosa Nostra. She emphasized that the government’s fight against organized crime is ongoing and will not stop.
