An Italian businessman who has worked
in Brazil for many years was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of
Mafia offences and money laundering in a joint Italo-Brazilian
operation.
Tax police out of Palermo and the Brazilian federal police
arrested the entrepreneur, originally from Bagheria near
Palermo, Giuseppe Bruno, who had long since moved to Natal,
Brazil, judicial sources in the Sicilian capital said.
They said an investigation by the Palermo anti-Mafia
investigative directorate (DDA) and the Second Federal Court of
Rio Grande Do Norte, has uncovered an organisation that
allegedly laundered Mob money in business ventures in the South
American country.
Police seized approximately 50 million euro as well as assets
and property belonging to 17 individuals, all under
investigation, and to 12 companies operating in the real estate,
construction and catering sectors.
Searches were carried out in several Italian regions, in Brazil
and in Switzerland, the sources said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
