Italian police arrest 22 suspected mafia members in Sicily
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 04:03 | 17 September 2020
- Modified Date: 04:03 | 17 September 2020
Italian police have arrested 22 suspected members of Sicily's Cosa Nostra Mafia.
Alleged Mafia boss Benedetto La Motta, 62, who led the clan Santapaola-Ercolano, was among those taken into custody along with some of his closest confidants including 76-year-old Antonino Marano - known as "the prison killer."
After 47 years in prison, Marano was released in December 2014 and police say they believe he may have committed another murder together with La Motta in October 2016.
The 22 are accused for now of Mafia membership, formation of a criminal organization with the aim of the illegal trafficking of narcotics, possession and trafficking of narcotics, multiple assaults and multiple extortion.
The use of Mafia methods in the crimes is reflected in the charges.