“Underworld leaders express dissatisfaction with new recruits. In a significant operation, 1,200 armed Carabinieri officers carried out early morning raids in and around Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Warrants were issued for a total of 183 individuals, 36 of whom were already in custody. They are facing charges ranging from attempted murder and extortion to drug trafficking, possession of weapons, and association with the mafia. Cosa Nostra has a history of extorting protection money, known as “pizzo” in Italian, from business owners. The raids dealt a significant blow to Cosa Nostra bosses’ attempts to rebuild and reorganize the central mafia commission, known as “la cupola”, which mediates between rival clans and resolves disputes. The arrests were made despite the mafia members using encrypted mobile phones to communicate. Even imprisoned mobsters managed their operations from inside prisons with the help of smuggled mobile phones. Many of those arrested were suspected leaders who had recently been released from long prison sentences. The extensive operation indicates the ongoing strength of Cosa Nostra, as stated by chief prosecutor Maurizio de Lucia in Palermo. The mafia has been expanding its drug trafficking and distribution operations, as evidenced by intercepted conversations discussing drug shipments and potential cooperation with the ‘Ndrangheta, its Calabrian counterpart. The ‘Ndrangheta is known for its extensive cocaine trafficking network and is believed to have surpassed Cosa Nostra in power and wealth. The mafia continues to engage in illegal activities such as buying firearms on the dark web and imposing protection rackets in the city. The operation was praised by Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, as a significant blow against Cosa Nostra, emphasizing the need to defeat the mafia with determination. The Carabinieri had been monitoring senior mafia figures, many of whom had recently been released from prison.”
The fact that criminals were already trying to reorganize and reconstruct their illegal network immediately after being released from prison demonstrates the remarkable resilience of Cosa Nostra, as highlighted by John Dickie, the author of “Mafia Republic: Italy’s Criminal Curse” and “Cosa Nostra, A History of the Sicilian Mafia,” in an interview with The Telegraph. According to Dickie, the ongoing investigation reveals the relentless efforts of these individuals to reinstate the hierarchical structure of Cosa Nostra, a feat that is truly astounding considering the numerous challenges they encounter. Dickie also acknowledges the advanced surveillance techniques employed by Italian authorities, noting how even Mafia leaders have been caught bragging about the effectiveness of their anti-bugging devices while simultaneously being monitored.
In assessing the current state of Cosa Nostra, Dickie suggests a decline in their overall power and influence, citing intercepted phone conversations where Mafia bosses lament the changing landscape of their operations compared to earlier times. He points out that this recent attempt to reorganize the leadership of Cosa Nostra marks at least the fifth such effort since the early 1990s, each thwarted by vigilant law enforcement agencies. The frequent confrontations between authorities and organized crime figures underscore the ongoing struggle for dominance and control.
The recent arrests of key figures within Cosa Nostra signal a significant setback for the criminal organization, requiring them to once again regroup and rebuild their operations. This development serves as a reminder that despite the challenges posed by organized crime, the state’s institutions and law enforcement agencies remain resilient and capable of combating such threats. The ongoing battle between the forces of law and order and criminal syndicates underscores the enduring power struggle within Italian society.
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