'Ndrangheta 'eco-monster' demolished in Calabria

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 17 - Palazzo Mangeruca, the so-called 'eco-monster' confiscated from Calabria's influential 'ndrangheta mafia and present for decades in Melissa in the province of Crotone, has been demolished.
    Four hundred kilograms of explosives were used to bring down the six-story symbol of mafia power in the southern region.
    Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani, Deputy Justice Minister Francesco Paolo Sisto, Calabria Governor Roberto Occhiuto and the Commander General of the Carabinieri military police Teo Luzi were in attendance.
    The property used as a furniture store was confiscated from the 'ndrangheta in 2007 during the massive Piazza Pulita (Clean Square) operation coordinated by the then deputy anti-mafia prosecutor Pierpaolo Bruni.
    Last year, thanks to a synergy between the Calabria Region and the municipality of Melissa, it was decided to pull it down and build a 35-place camper van area in its place.
    The 700,000 euro project has been funded by the Region . (ANSA).