Italian police on Tuesday smashed a
Mafia clan based in Catania which had been imposing the 'pizzo'
protection racket on local firms for years.
Hundreds of officers, helped by special teams, served 21 arrest
warrants on members of the Lineri Clan of the
Santapaola-Ercolano organization led by jailed superboss
Benedetto 'Nitto' Santapaola.
The mafiosi levied the 'pizzo' on local businessmen and traders
for years, police said.
Some 20 businesses were freed from the racket, they said.
Those arrested have been charged with extortion, attempted
robbery, receiving stolen goods, fraudulently taking over
assets, and mafia association.
The probe stated after a noted Catania restaurateur was
threatened with two caliber 7.65 bullets in August 2019.
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