Drug trafficking, violence and corruption: a “fourth mafia” enters the Italian criminal world

Share This Post

- Advertisement -

Thanks to Hollywood, Cosa Nostra has become one of the most notorious criminal organizations in the world. By now the Sicilian mafia is practically synonymous with the Italian underworld. However, the country’s criminal landscape doesn’t end with them. Completing “criminal poker” are the Neapolitan Camorra, the ‘Ndrangheta and the Foggia mafia, also known as the “fourth mafia”, based in the south of the country and with the reputation of being younger and more ruthless compared to the older ones.

- Advertisement -

When we talk about the mafia, we usually think of the movie The Godfather, inspired by the Sicilian Cosa Nostra. For decades, the mafia of that beautiful island terrorized Italy with its brutal attacks and murders, such as the one committed against judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino in 1992.

These attacks generated a strong backlash from the state and led to arrest of their historical leadersincluding the youngest Matthew Messina Moneyarrested in January after 30 years on the run.

- Advertisement -
A march to remember the Italian anti-mafia judges, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, murdered by Cosa Nostra.  Photo: AFP

A march to remember the Italian anti-mafia judges, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, murdered by Cosa Nostra. Photo: AFP

In recent years, the Cosa Nostra has adopted a less bloodthirsty style and he tried to infiltrate the legal economy, in public administration and in local businesses. In any case, he maintains his historical links with the underworld in New York, according to the latest report by the Italian anti-mafia investigators (DIA).

‘Ndrangheta, the most powerful criminals in Italy

Rooted in Calabria, one of the poorest regions of Italy, the ‘Ndrangheta, of peasant origin, is currently considered the richest and most powerful criminal organization in the countrywith branches all over the world.

The Calabrian mafia mainly handles cocaine trafficking in Europe and is the “privileged partner” of South American drug makers, according to the DIA.

Money from drugs, extortion and rigged public contracts is often laundered with investments in the legal, real estate and financial economy.

While in the past his hitmen were known to dissolve their victims in acid, the organization now chooses to keep a low profile.

In 2021 an important ‘maxi trial’ was opened, with more than 300 defendants, during which it came to light the complex network of politicianslawyers and entrepreneurs linked to the dreaded organization.

The Camorra and its clan structure

The Camorra operates in the Campania region, whose capital is Naples, e is divided into clans which control different geographical areas.

A raid on a cell linked to the 'Ndrangheta, the organization based in Calabria.  Photo: AFP

A raid on a cell linked to the ‘Ndrangheta, the organization based in Calabria. Photo: AFP

Like the ‘Ndrangheta, its structure is not based on family relationshipswhich generates conflicts between various groups, who often use teenagers to control the city.

The writer Roberto Saviano, in his book “Gomorra”, published in 2006 and adapted for cinema and television, made known the proceedings of the Camorra, recounting life in Scampia, a popular neighborhood of Naples and the heart of drug trafficking.

The Camorra has been involved in the illegal handling of toxic waste that has contaminated large areas of that region and in the counterfeits from the textile industry.

He maintains important relationships in Spain for money laundering and his wives play an important role as messengers, accountants and paymasters to members of the organization.

The Foggia mafia, inspired by the Camorra

The Italian criminal world has one more group. The Foggia mafia, also referred to as Italy’s “fourth mafia”, is a criminal organization operating in the sprawling province of Foggia in the southern region of Puglia. It is the youngest mafia in the country and is inspired by the Neapolitan Camorra.

A tribute to a victim murdered by the Foggia mafia, the so-called "fourth mafia" d

A tribute to a victim murdered by the Foggia mafia, the so-called “fourth mafia” in Italy. Photo: AFP

The authorities consider it the most violent criminal organization on the peninsula.

Get your income from extortiontheft, usury, against local farmers, and drug trafficking from Albania.

The Foggia mafia managed to infiltrate public institutions.

This factor, as well as the strong presence of juvenile delinquents in their ranks the sense of insecurity of the region, which survives on agriculture and tourism, has increased.

Source: AFP

Source: Clarin

- Advertisement -

Related Posts

What are the benefits of papaya and flaxseed smoothie?

There are some combinations of vegetables and seeds that...

All the shadows of ISIS-K and the broken narrative of Vladimir Putin

Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin not necessarily improvise when he...