(ANSA) - CATANZARO, JAN 26 - The State Police has carried out an operation, coordinated by the Dda of Catanzaro, for the execution of a precautionary custody order in prison against 56 people accused, for various reasons, among others , mafia-type criminal conspiracy, external competition in a mafia association, corruption, extortion and kidnapping.
The restrictive measures were issued by the district magistrate of Catanzaro at the request of the DDA.
The operation was carried out not only in Calabria, and in particular in Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro and Reggio, but also in various locations throughout the country such as Palermo, Avellino, Benevento, Parma, Milan, Cuneo, L'Aquila, Spoleto and Civitavecchia.
The persons involved in the operation are also charged with the crimes of fraudulent transfer of values, illegal competition with violence and threats and trafficking in illicit influences, aggravated by the mafia method and facilitation, disclosure of official secrecy and perpetrator association aimed at receiving stolen goods and laundering of agricultural machinery, aggravated by transnationality and by the mafia facilitation.
Furthermore, movable and immovable assets were seized as part of the operation for a value of 250 million euro.
According to the Central Anti-Crime Director of the State Police, Francesco Messina, "the massive judicial police operation that was brought to a conclusion made it possible to dismantle a fierce mafia coterie attributable to the 'Ndrangheta Vibonese' crime, for at least 4 years engaged in the massive consumption of various crimes ranging from mafia association, extortion, fictitious ownership of assets, illegal possession of weapons, trafficking in illicit influences and corruption - the latter two crimes aggravated by the mafia method - as well as criminal association aimed at receiving stolen goods and laundering machines agriculture, aggravated by transnationality, with the consequent pollution of the local economy,thus ending up influencing the economic and commercial freedom of the entire social fabric of the coast and of the areas close to the renowned tourist resort of Tropea". (ANSA).
