Editing 'Ndrangheta (section)

== Law enforcement operations in Italy ==

The 'Ndrangheta has expanded its operations into Northern Italy, primarily for drug trafficking and investment in legitimate businesses, which can be used for [[money laundering]]. In May 2007, twenty individuals identified as 'Ndrangheta members were arrested in [[Milan]].<ref name="times" /> On 30 August 2007, a large-scale police raid involving hundreds of officers targeted [[San Luca]], a town central to the [[San Luca feud]] between rival 'Ndrangheta clans. Over 30 individuals, both men and women, with alleged links to the killings of six Italian men in Germany, were apprehended.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6970067.stm "Mafia suspects arrested in Italy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217181646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6970067.stm |date=17 December 2007 }}, BBC News, 30 August 2007.</ref>

On 4 June 2012, a multinational law enforcement operation resulted in numerous arrests across Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Finland. This operation followed an investigation by the Milan District Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office into Swiss bank accounts and a fleet of ships allegedly used to transport cocaine to Europe from Venezuela, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic.<ref name=OCCRP20120604>{{cite news |url=http://www.reportingproject.net/occrp/index.php/en/ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/1540-europe-dozens-arrested-in-international-cocaine-bust |title=Europe: Dozens Arrested in International Cocaine Bust |work=[[Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project|OCCRP]] |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=21 December 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608085307/http://www.reportingproject.net/occrp/index.php/en/ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/1540-europe-dozens-arrested-in-international-cocaine-bust}}</ref>

On 9 October 2012, after a months-long central government investigation, the City Council of Reggio Calabria, led by Mayor {{ill|Demetrio Arena|it}}, was dissolved due to alleged ties to the 'Ndrangheta. Mayor Arena and all 30 city councilors were removed from office to prevent potential "mafia contagion" within the local government.<ref name="bbc091012">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19886631 ''"Italy sacks Reggio Calabria council over 'mafia ties'"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422184828/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19886631 |date=22 April 2018 }}, BBC News, 9 October 2012.</ref><ref name="rep091212">[http://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2012/10/09/news/scioglimento-44197399/ ''"Il Viminale scioglie per mafia il comune di Reggio Calabria"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013054948/http://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2012/10/09/news/scioglimento-44197399/ |date=13 October 2012 }}, ''La Repubblica'', 9 October 2012.</ref> This marked the first instance of a provincial capital's government being dismissed. Three administrators appointed by the central government governed the city for 18 months until new elections were held.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/10/2012109205354822989.html "Italy sacks city government over mafia links"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011070337/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/10/2012109205354822989.html |date=11 October 2012 }}, ''[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]'', 9 October 2012</ref> The action followed suspicions that unnamed councilors had ties to the 'Ndrangheta during the 10-year center-right administration of Mayor [[Giuseppe Scopelliti]].<ref name="rep230912">[http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2012/09/23/news/sprechi_e_mafia_caos_pdl_in_calabria-43080292/ ''"Sprechi e mafia, caos Pdl in Calabria"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013185143/http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2012/09/23/news/sprechi_e_mafia_caos_pdl_in_calabria-43080292/ |date=13 October 2012 }}, ''La Repubblica'', 23 September 2012.</ref>

'Ndrangheta infiltration of political offices extends beyond Calabria. On 10 October 2012, Domenico Zambetti of [[People of Freedom]] (PDL), Milan's regional government commissioner in charge of public housing, was arrested. He was accused of paying the 'Ndrangheta to secure election victories and to solicit favors and contracts, including construction tenders for [[Expo 2015|World Expo 2015]] in [[Milan]].<ref name="ft141012">[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc625766-160f-11e2-9a8c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2AUamRBZb "Mafia probe claims political victim"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018000116/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc625766-160f-11e2-9a8c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2AUamRBZb |date=18 October 2012 }}, ''Financial Times'', 14 October 2012.</ref> This vote-buying investigation highlighted the 'Ndrangheta's infiltration into the political structures of [[Lombardy]], Italy's affluent northern region. Zambetti's arrest was described as the most significant case of 'Ndrangheta infiltration uncovered in Northern Italy to date, prompting calls for the resignation of Lombardy governor [[Roberto Formigoni]].<ref name="usa101012">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/milan-politician-mafia/1624249/ "Milan politician accused of mafia vote-buying"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227060631/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/milan-politician-mafia/1624249/ |date=27 December 2017 }}, ''USA Today'', 10 October 2012.</ref><ref name="cds101012">[http://www.corriere.it/International/english/articoli/2012/10/10/zambetti.shtml "Formigoni's Cabinet Member Arrested for Election Fraud"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013232341/http://www.corriere.it/International/english/articoli/2012/10/10/zambetti.shtml |date=13 October 2012 }}, ''[[Corriere della Sera]]'', 10 October 2012.</ref>

On 12 December 2017, 48 individuals identified as 'Ndrangheta members were arrested on charges including mafia association, extortion, criminal damage, fraudulent asset transfer, and illegal firearm possession. Of those arrested, four were placed under house arrest, and 44 were ordered to be jailed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Huge 'Ndrangheta operation, 48 arrests|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2017/12/12/huge-ndrangheta-operation-48-arrests-2_63f81103-f3fc-49cc-87f9-fa9de79c7762.html|website=ANSA |date=12 December 2017 |access-date=30 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051710/http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2017/12/12/huge-ndrangheta-operation-48-arrests-2_63f81103-f3fc-49cc-87f9-fa9de79c7762.html|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Among those indicted were a two-time mayor of [[Taurianova|Taurianova, Calabria]] and a former cabinet member. Investigators alleged that 'Ndrangheta clans had infiltrated public works construction, real estate brokerage, the food industry, greenhouse production, and renewable energy sectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blitz against the 'Ndrangheta, 48 arrests and kidnappings for 25 million euros in Reggino|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2017/12/12/italia/cronache/blitz-contro-la-ndrangheta-arresti-e-sequestri-per-milioni-di-euro-nel-reggino-pLbetDGPl5AdhsPDS6pKkM/pagina.html|website=La Stampa Italy|date=12 December 2017|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231110250/http://www.lastampa.it/2017/12/12/italia/cronache/blitz-contro-la-ndrangheta-arresti-e-sequestri-per-milioni-di-euro-nel-reggino-pLbetDGPl5AdhsPDS6pKkM/pagina.html|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 January 2018, law enforcement operations in Italy and Germany resulted in the arrest of 169 individuals linked to the 'Ndrangheta, specifically the ''Farao'' and ''Marincola'' clans based in Calabria. Assets valued at [[Euro|€]]50 million (£44/$59m) were seized. The indictment detailed how owners of German restaurants, ice cream parlors, hotels, and pizzerias were coerced into purchasing wine, pizza dough, pastries, and other products sourced from Southern Italy. The Farao clan, reportedly led by the imprisoned Giuseppe Farao, who allegedly relayed orders to his sons, controlled businesses including bakeries, vineyards, olive groves, funeral homes, launderettes, [[plastic recycling]] plants, and shipyards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Over 160 suspects arrested in German-Italian anti-mafia sweep|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20180109/over-160-suspects-arrested-in-german-italian-anti-mafia-sweep|website=[[The Local Italy]] |date=9 January 2018 |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165150/https://www.thelocal.it/20180109/over-160-suspects-arrested-in-german-italian-anti-mafia-sweep|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 'Ndrangheta also infiltrated the waste disposal operations of [[Ilva (company)|Ilva steel company]] in [[Taranto]]. Charges in these operations included mafia association, attempted murder, money laundering, extortion, and illegal weapons possession and trafficking. Italian prosecutor [[Nicola Gratteri]] characterized these arrests as the most significant action against the 'Ndrangheta in the preceding 20 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mafia raids: Police in Italy and Germany make 169 arrests|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42618825 |publisher=BBC News |date=9 January 2018 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109235544/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42618825|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Eleven suspects arrested in Germany were accused of blackmail and money laundering and were subsequently deported to Italy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eleven mafia suspects arrested in Germany to be deported to Italy|url=http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/10/eleven-mafia-suspects-arrested-in-germany-to-be-deported-to-italy|website=Euro News |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165024/http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/10/eleven-mafia-suspects-arrested-in-germany-to-be-deported-to-italy|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Alessandro Figliomeni, former mayor of [[Siderno|Siderno, Calabria]], received a 12-year prison sentence on 7 May 2018 for mafia association, allegedly being a member of the [[Commisso 'ndrina]] clan and holding a high-ranking position.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Italian Mayor Gets 12 Years for Mafia Association|url=https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/8054-former-italian-mayor-gets-12-years-for-mafia-association|website=OCCRP|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508182817/https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/8054-former-italian-mayor-gets-12-years-for-mafia-association|archive-date=8 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2019, over 300 individuals were arrested in Calabria on suspicion of 'Ndrangheta membership in an operation involving 2,500 police officers. Among those arrested was [[Giancarlo Pittelli]], a prominent lawyer and former member of [[Silvio Berlusconi]]'s [[Forza Italia]] party.<ref name="Tondo">{{cite news |last1=Tondo |first1=Lorenzo |title=Italian politicians and police among 300 held in mafia bust |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/19/italian-politicians-and-police-among-300-held-in-historic-mafia-bust |work=The Guardian |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219160659/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/19/italian-politicians-and-police-among-300-held-in-historic-mafia-bust |archive-date=19 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Nicola Gratteri]], chief prosecutor in [[Catanzaro]], described these arrests as the second largest in Italian organized crime history, surpassed only by the arrests leading to the "[[Maxi Trial]]" of Sicilian Mafia bosses in [[Palermo]] between 1986 and 1992.<ref name="Tondo" /> The trial of these more than 300 'Ndrangheta members commenced on 13 January 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/biggest-mafia-trial-in-decades-opens-in-italy-1.5264703|title=Biggest Mafia trial in decades opens in Italy|publisher=ctvnews.ca|date=13 January 2021}}</ref>

In early May 2023, a police crackdown targeting the 'Ndrangheta network resulted in the arrest of 108 individuals in Italy by [[Carabinieri]] and 30 in Germany by over 1,000 police officers. The operation, prompted by suspicions of cocaine smuggling, money laundering, and other offenses, followed four years of covert investigations and involved coordinated probes by investigators in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Major investigative efforts included gaining insights into the organization's internal operations, including their use of [[Secure telephone|crypto phones]] and services such as [[EncroChat]] and [[Shutdown of Sky ECC|Sky ECC]], which the 'Ndrangheta reportedly utilized due to movement restrictions during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/more-than-100-arrested-in-european-anti-mafia-raids/a-65497944 |title=More than 100 arrested in European anti-mafia raids |newspaper=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=3 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023}}</ref>

Also in 2023, allegations emerged regarding links between the 'Ndrangheta and the [[Gambino crime family|Gambino family]], suggesting that the 'Ndrangheta uses [[New York City|New York]] as a training ground for new recruits.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-11 |title=International mafia bust shows US-Italy crime links still strong |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67387249 |access-date=2023-11-11}}</ref>

In November 2023, over 200 individuals associated with the 'Ndrangheta were convicted in what was described as the largest mafia trial in three decades. Despite over 100 acquittals following the three-year trial, the convictions were considered a significant setback to the organization's activities in Europe. Almost all defendants had been initially arrested in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |date=2023-11-20 |title=More than 200 mobsters convicted in Italian mafia 'maxi trial' |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/more-than-200-mobsters-convicted-in-italian-mafia-maxi-trial |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>