Carabinieri carried out a major and largest anti-mafia operation in Sicily and Tuscany where almost 100 people were arrested.
The carabinieri, backed by helicopters and over 1,200 police officers, arrested scores of people, some of them were mobsters that are suspected of trying to rebuild the ranks of the Sicily Mafia.
Francesco Messineo, Palermo’s head prosecutor, said this operation was of vital importance as it had stopped the re-ranking of the mafia’s leadership. The operation has been on-going for almost nine months and several wire tapes.
Messino said this gave the possibility to the police officers to listen, live to the true intentions of the mafia members.
Mobsters are charged of mafia association, drug dealing as well as arms trafficking and extortion.
Investigators concluded that the mafia operation was the brainchild of Matteo Messina Denaro, one of the most powerful godfathers.
Messina Denaro, is considerate top candidate to the replace the boss of bosses Bernando Provenzano that was arrested in 2006. Since Provenzano arrest the mafia’s hierarchy has been in disarray.
By Soraia Zohdi
