Germany, Italy clamp down on Italian mob with raids, arrests

By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER and NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Police across Europe have arrested dozens of people, raided homes and seized 25 million euros in assets in a joint effort to crack down on Italy’s ’ndrangheta organized crime syndicate. In Italy, Carabinieri police backed by police helicopters served arrest warrants on 108 people for suspected trafficking of drugs and weapons; money laundering; and other crimes. The operation aimed to dismantle a network that reportedly moves tons of cocaine to Europe and Australia each year. Authorities say the investigation uncovered how the n’drangheta, Colombian drug producers and paramilitary groups used ports in South America to ship Colombian drugs to Europe. Italian officials say drug proceeds were laundered through restaurants, ice cream shops and car washes.