Apparently the feds always get their man? Or their mob? In this case a multi-national case involving mobsters in several nations using several different agencies. Centered in Italy, the world can watch to see if their criminal justice system actually works. There are an estimated 6000 members of this particular mob, 350 are in trouble at the moment. We don't hear much about the 'mafia' anymore, they have been replaced by Columbian drug cartels and Mexican gangs on our news. But apparently they are still in power and a force to be reckoned with.
FULL STORY HERE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13706777/mafia-trial-mobsters-call-centre-converted-into-court/
Biggest mafia trial in 30 years sees 350 mobsters and corrupt politicians packed into call centre converted into court
Katie Davis11 Jan 2021,
SECRETS of Italy's richest mafia are about to be revealed as hundreds of suspected gangsters are to face justice in the biggest mob trial in more than 30 years.
Alleged members of the 'NDrangheta - including corrupt politicians - will be locked in cages during hearings, due to take place at a huge call centre in Calabria that has been converted into a courtroom.
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A huge call centre has been converted into a courtroom for the upcoming trial in ItalyCredit: AFP or licensors
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Catanzaro's public prosecutor, Nicola Gratteri, centre, addressing reporters during a visit of the tranformed centreCredit: AFP or licensors
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Defendants will be behind bars during the trial of 355 alleged mafia membersCredit: AFP or licensors
It will now seat almost 1,000 lawyers, judges, prosecutors and spectators taking part in the trial which will expose the inner workings of Italy's most secretive mafia - due to start on Wednesday.
Investigators will reveal 24,000 wiretaps and bugged conversations to back up charges of murder, extortion and drug dealing.
More than 900 witnesses will give evidence against 355 alleged members of the Calabrian mafia, which has an estimated turnover of between €40-€50billion (£36bn-£45bn).
The gang is believed to have strong links with Latin-American drug cartels, which they use to import cocaine through ports such as Rotterdam, as well as gangs in Albania and Turkey, to transport it to market.
It comes more than 30 years after the 1986 Maxi trial in Palermo, which exposed the Sicilian mafia.
Nicola Gratteri, who is leading the prosecution against 'NDrangheta, said: "This is the most important maxi-trial since Palermo."
In 2019, Mr Gratteri ordered the arrests of alleged mafia members in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria that led to the latest trial.
A police chief, a former senator, lawyers, councillors and businessmen were among those arrested in an operation involving 2,500 police officers.
Mr Gratteri added: "This is a mafia that looks like us and is ever closer to us."
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Italy's Minister of Justice Alfonso Bonafede touring the converted call centre with officials, police and reporters Credit: AFP or licensors
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One of the detained defendants' cells inside a new bunker room built for the upcoming mafia trialCredit: AFP or licensors
A former senator, a police chief, lawyers, local councillors and businessmen were among those arrested on suspicion of colluding with the mob. “This is a mafia that looks like us and is ever closer to us,” Mr Gratteri, 62, said.
The ‘Ndrangheta crime organisation is to the Calabria region in southern Italy what the Cosa Nostra is to Sicily, dating back to the 18th century.
It's far reaching illegal activities include drugs supply, extortion, prostitution and arms trafficking.
It is one of the most powerful criminal organisations in the world, with the FBI estimating 'Ndrangheta membership is at about 6,000 - mostly based in one of Italy's poorest regions.
FULL STORY HERE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13706777/mafia-trial-mobsters-call-centre-converted-into-court/
