More than 200 members of the ‘Ndrangheta criminal group were sentenced to imprisonment. The total period exceeded 2200 years. This happened during one of the largest mafia trials in Italian history, Zakon.kz reports.
Founded in the 18th century in Calabria, the ‘Ndrangheta has grown into one of the most powerful, extensive and wealthy criminal organizations in the world. The ‘Ndrangheta is the only mafia operating on all continents, controlling 80% of the European cocaine trade, Sky News reports.
The three-year trial, which involved mafiosi, businessmen and politicians, included charges of murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion.
Some 67 defendants named in the original indictment have already been found guilty after arguing for a fast-track trial. More than 80 defendants were found not guilty.
In December 2019, special forces and elite units struck the ‘Ndrangheta: about 3 thousand officers conducted raids in 12 regions of Italy, and also made arrests in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Authorities seized property and money worth millions of euros and detained 300 suspects.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently said that Italy currently has the most effective tactics to combat organized crime.
