Anti-mafia police on Monday busted
12 drugs markets in the Sicilian city of Catania, arrested 80
people and placed 101 people under investigation.
Carabinieri said they had "dismantled 12 major drugs markets
rooted in the working-class San Giovanni district."
The quarter is the historic stronghold for drug trafficking and
pushing in the eastern Sicilian city.
The 101 people have been placed under investigation, police
said, on suspicion of mafia association, drug trafficking, drug
pushing, and illegal weapons possession.
The various gangs were territorially autonomous, police said,
but under the control of the Nizza group belonging to Catania's
dominant Cosa Nostra clan, the Santapaola-Ercolanofamily, run
from jail by superboss Benedetto 'Nitto' Santapaola.
The Nizzas ordered the gangs to get their drugs from the group
and how much drugs to buy, police said.
The gangs reported to a noted mafia boss, Lorenzo Michele
Schillaci , police said.
Schillaci settled any disputes between the gangs.
Over 400 Carabinieri from the Catania provincial command were
involved in the operation.
They were backed up by police from other Sicilian provinces
including helicopter and dog units.
Among the 80 arrested were two minors, police said.
The operation was made possible by information from two new
mafia infrmants, Dario Caruana and Silvio Corra, the latter
acting boss of the NIzzas, police said.
Defence Undersecretary Angelo Tofalo congratulated the
Carabinieri on the success of the operation, dubbed Skanderbeg.
"Another hard blow has been dealt to the criminal and mafia
organizations," he said.
Tofalo praised the Carabinieri's dedication, commitment and
professionalism "even in a delicate moment due to the health
emergency."
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