27 arrested in US-Italian Mafia bust
Palermo, New York, Miami op nets Gambino 'capi',Sicily old guard
10 March, 18:32
(ANSA) - Rome, March 20 - Italian police and the FBI on
Wednesday arrested 27 suspects - 21 in Palermo and six in the US
- in an operation against a powerful Cosa Nostra clan and US
affiliates including three Gambino family 'capi' in New York.Agents said the two-year operation showed how the Italian and US branches of the Sicilian Mafia were still working "closely" together.
"But we have cut off those links," said Italian Police Chief Antonio Manganelli.
He said the op showed the "historic collaboration between Italian police and the FBI is a strong as ever" and devoted Wednesday's success to slain anti-Mafia heroes like Palermo police chief Boris Giuliano, killed in 1979, and investigating magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, murdered in 1992.
In New York, the FBI took into custody three suspects, Gambino commanders Gaetano Napoli and his sons Gaetano Jr and Thomas, on suspicion of extortion, loan sharking, money laundering and fraudulent bankruptcy.
Another three were arrested in Miami: alleged go-between Roberto Settineri, his suspected right-hand man Antonio Tricami and another alleged associate, Daniel Dromerhauser.
They are suspected of money laundering and obstructing justice.
A seventh man, Giuseppe Frusteri, was arrested on weapons charges. In Palermo, police arrested 21 members of the city's Santa Maria di Gesu' family on suspicion of drug trafficking, attempted homicide, money laundering, extortion and other crimes.
In Palermo, police said the operation showed how Cosa Nostra was turning to "historic' bosses after recent turmoil following the arrests of several top members stemming from the 2006 capture of 43-year fugitive boss of bosses Bernardo Provenzano.
"They need to get charismatic figures back in business," said a statement from the special SCO division of the Italian police, which worked with the FBI.
Among the 20 arrested were Santa Maria di Gesu' old-time chief Gioacchino Corso, his brother Giampaolo; and veteran hitman Giuseppe Lo Bocchiaro, who was recently released after serving time for the 1982 murder of rival gangster Pietro Marchese in Palermo's Ucciardone prison.
Pietro Pilo, a trusted lieutenant of long-time clan head Cosimo Vernengo, was arrested with a log book showing victims of protection rackets and amounts due. Three handguns were also seized.
In New York, the Gambinos are still closely allied to the Colombo, Bonanno, Genovese and Lucchese families in drugs, gambling, arms and prostitution rackets as well as infiltrating public works, the FBI said.
Italian Interior Ministry Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano said the operation had scored "an extremely important result" in the State's fight against the mafia.
In the last two years Italian police have cancelled 17 names from their most-wanted list including the top Palermo bosses.
Their prime target now is Trapani-based boss Matteo Messina Denaro, believed to have become Cosa Nostra's new No.1.
The Italia government recently unveiled a new anti-mafia plan including a national mafia map and database and an assets seizure agency in Reggio Calabria.
The Calabrian 'Ndrangheta syndicate is now considered Italy's most powerful mafia, having outstripped Cosa Nostra thanks to its control of the European cocaine trade.
Italy's two other main mafias are the Camorra in Naples, a major player in illegal waste disposal and public tenders, and the Sacra Corona Unita in Puglia which is heavily involved in people trafficking.
