More than 200 members of the Italian Police and the FBI are taking part in a massive operation against the Italian Mafia based in Palermo know as Cosa Nostra.
The operation nicknamed ‘New Connection’ uncovered strong links between Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia, in Palermo and organized crime based in New York particularly with the Gambino family.
The operation also uncovered that the mafia clan of the Inzerillo family had once more became influential after having nearly been decimated in the 80s by Toto Riina and his henchmen.
Investigators believe that the Inzerillo clan had reconstructed its stronghold in the Palermo district of Passo di Rigano.
The suspects, alleged bosses and underlings, are accused of crimes including mafia association, aggravated extortion and fraud.
Their group allegedly had its paws in a wide range of businesses, such as wholesale food supplies, gambling outlets and online betting.
The arrested people included Francesco and Tommaso Inzerillo, respectively the brother and cousin of Totuccio Inzerillo, a boss murdered by Riina’s Corleonesi group in the 1980s.
Salvatore Gambino, the mayor of the province of Palermo town of Torretta, was arrested too. He is accused of external participation in mafia association.
Via ANSA
