Mafia boss’ network assets worth over US$232mil seized in Italy

ROME: Italian authorities have seized assets worth more than €200 million (US$232 million), allegedly linked to the Mafia empire and drug trafficking network of late Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro, police said on Thursday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Three people were arrested during a large-scale operation carried out across several countries, authorities said.

Messina Denaro was captured in Sicily in January 2023. As head of the Cosa Nostra, he was one of Italy’s most wanted criminals for more than three decades.

His downfall came when he sought treatment for cancer at a clinic. Eight months after his arrest, he died in prison at the age of 61 without facing trial.

The recent raids were part of an investigation into money laundering linked to drug trafficking operations allegedly connected to Messina Denaro, authorities said.

The money had been amassed through the reinvestment of drug money accumulated since the 1980s in several countries in Europe and beyond.

Investigators identified eight companies believed to be linked to the network.

They also identified gold and luxury properties in the most exclusive locations on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

– Bernama-dpa

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المصدر: New Straits Times