(see related)
Police on Tuesday arrested 40
people suspected of links with clans belonging to the
Calabrian-based 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate operating in
northern Italy.
The operation was the result of a two-year probe that also
led police to film live an affiliation ceremony for the first
time.
Prior to this details of the ceremony for the bestowal of
the 'santa', the highest level of 'ndrangheta affiliation, had
only ever been recounted by former mobsters turned state's
evidence.
The arrests were carried out on charges of mafia
association, extortion, and illegal possession of weapons across
the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto and on the southern
island region of Sicily.
Investigators claimed the suspects belonged to three clans
operating in the Lombardy provinces of Como and Lecco where they
had infiltrated the local community.
The film of the affiliation ceremony was made during a
convivial gathering of members of the three clans known as a
'mangiata' (feast) and includes references to Mazzini, Garibaldi
and La Marmora, three leading figures of the 19th century
Risorgimento movement for Italian unification.
Investigators claim Garibaldi represented the local clan
leader, Mazzini the treasurer and La Marmora another
high-ranking member.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
