Held Massive Operations, European Police Arrested More Than 100 Suspects Of The Italian Mafia Network 'Ndrangheta

JAKARTA - Police across Europe arrested more than 100 people on Wednesday, a massive crackdown targeting the Italian mafia group 'Ndrangheta, with suspects charged with drug trafficking and weapons with colleagues in Latin America.

"Today's raids are one of the biggest operations carried out so far in the fight against Italy's organized crimes," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, adding that they had "provided a serious blow to Ndrangheta," as reported by Reuters on May 4.

The action is part of an investigation that includes Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, Brazil, and Panama, according to EU law enforcement agency Europol.

The network was devoted primarily to international drug trafficking from South America to Europe and Australia, Europol said in a statement.

In addition, the network also uses Chinese money brokers in Italy and Colombia to arrange for funds to be transferred to pay for drug transactions, Italian police commander Massimiliano D'Angelantono told a news conference.

The Ndrangheta clan is also involved in carrying out weapons from Pakistan to South America, supplying Brazilian criminal group PCC

🚨 132 ‘Ndrangheta mafia members arrested after investigation by Belgium, Italy & Germany.👮 Europol & @Eurojust supported the international operation, which is the largest-ever coordinated hit against Italian organised crime.Press release ⤵️https://t.co/QSwiY6Cupm#EMPACT pic.twitter.com/xwsXrE63Wi

— Europol (@Europol) May 3, 2023

🚨 132 ‘Ndrangheta mafia members arrested after investigation by Belgium, Italy & Germany.👮 Europol & @Eurojust supported the international operation, which is the largest-ever coordinated hit against Italian organised crime.Press release ⤵️https://t.co/QSwiY6Cupm#EMPACT pic.twitter.com/xwsXrE63Wi

Profits from illegal businesses that are carried out are laundered through real estate, restaurants, hotels, car washing companies, supermarkets and other commercial activities.

In Germany, investigators targeted an ice cream shop in the northwestern city of Siegen, which they allegedly used to launder money and as a strategic center for 'Ndrangheta.

Investigator Oliver Huth told reporters they found Italians from Calabria there. Some of them are believed to be involved in drugs, while others are linked to murder. Cafes have been closed.

In total, 132 people were arrested in Italy and nine other countries on Wednesday, May 3 at dawn, citing the Europol site.

The related investigation led to the arrest of 24 people in Germany, they said, as well as 53 further detentions in northern Italy. Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia interior minister said 18 people were arrested there.

Previously, assets worth 25 million euros (USD 27.6 million) were confiscated in Italy, Germany, Portugal, and France in the "Eureka Operation", which was launched in 2019. It was originally to investigate drug smuggling between Calabria and the City of Genk in Belgium, according to Italian police.

"We think that among the arrests there are some high-value people who played a major role in the organization, not only in Belgium, but also in other European countries," said Belgian federal prosecutor Antoon Schotsaert. So far, the Belgian Police have said they have arrested 13 people.

Ndrangheta, rooted in Calabria's southern Italian territory, has surpassed Cosa Nostra as the country's most powerful mafia group, becoming one of the largest criminal networks in the world.

Several targeted 'Ndrangheta families were involved in the clan's feud culminating in mass shootings, including the murder of six people in Germany's Duisburg City in 2007, according to Europol.