Italian officials announced that more than 130 individuals have been arrested in a powerful crackdown linked to the ‘Ndrangheta, a major mafia network operating across Italy and throughout Europe. The operation was disclosed by the Guardia di Finanza in a press statement released on Tuesday, underscoring a coordinated effort to dismantle a criminal group with deep roots in the region.
The arrests occurred in two distinct investigations conducted on Italian soil. In the southern peninsula, specifically in Calabria, 65 suspects were detained as part of a broader campaign codenamed Blue Notte. In 13 cities, including Brescia, authorities pursued a network involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion, aiming to sever the organization’s financial lifelines and disrupt its illicit activities. Most detainees remain in prison, with others held under house arrest or under ongoing investigation. These developments reflect a sustained legal push to curb organized crime and protect public safety across multiple jurisdictions (Source: Guardia di Finanza).
A second phase of the crackdown targeted the criminal group on the island of Sicily, yielding 60 detainees, 48 of whom were remanded in prison. Investigators allege the suspects were involved in cross-regional drug trafficking, linking Calabria to Sicily through sophisticated supply chains and clandestine networks. The operation highlights the scale and persistence of the ‘Ndrangheta’s transregional influence, which has long challenged local and national authorities in Italy and abroad (Source: Italian Prosecutor General’s Office).
Law enforcement sources describe a granular portrait of the inner workings of the ‘Ndrangheta, with particular attention to the Bellocco clan, a lineage renowned for generations of involvement in drug and weapons smuggling. Following the death of the clan patriarch in October, leadership was reportedly assumed by a successor known by a nickname that translates to “the one who speaks softly,” signaling a calibrated approach to control and intimidation. The Bellocco network is concentrated around Rosarno, a municipality near Gioia Tauro port, a recognized hub for international drug trafficking. The arrests underscore how intergenerational ties and territorial strongholds sustain a clandestine economy that crosses borders and fuels violence (Source: law enforcement briefings).