Three of Italy's largest mafia organisations have joined forces to create a super alliance, alarming investigators. The Camorra of Naples, the 'Ndrangheta from Calabria and the Sicilian-based Cosa Nostra, once fiercely independent, have now formed a "three-headed mafia" federation.
The alliance is designed to exploit rich opportunities in northern Italy, including the financial capital Milan. The cooperation has also forged links with Chinese criminal clans that specialise in moving money across international borders.
Drug Trafficking and Investment
The three main mafia groups traffic drugs into Italy from South America and invest the proceeds in businesses including construction, waste disposal, transport and supermarkets.
A major mafia trial in Milan, following the long-running undercover investigation Operation Hydra, saw 62 out of 145 defendants sentenced in January, with 45 facing a separate trial.
Prosecutors on the Alliance
Giovanni Melillo, the national anti-mafia prosecutor, said: "The different mafia organisations in the north of Italy have allied so as to increase their ability to make profits. Even in the trafficking of drugs, it is clear the historic differences between the mafia organisations are dissolving. There is a process of gradual integration."
Marcello Viola, the chief prosecutor of Milan, said mafia dons "are abandoning their violent methods in favour of a quieter, more business-like approach". He added: "They have realised that waging war with each other is damaging and that peace is better for everybody concerned."
Meetings Under Surveillance
In 2023, dons from the 'Ndrangheta of Calabria, the Camorra of Naples and Cosa Nostra were caught on camera sharing pasta and wine together in a garden. It was one of dozens of meetings dating back two years that police had under surveillance.
At the time, prosecutors warned the trio may have formed an unholy alliance to create a grand crime coalition in Italy's rich north. One alleged Camorra don was heard saying to an ally: "This is Milan. We're not in Sicily, we're not in Rome, we're not in Naples - this is where we're doing the good stuff."
