Maxi Anti-Mafia Operation in Palermo: Mafia districts dismantled.

The police have dealt a very hard blow to “Cosa Nostra” with a major anti-mafia operation conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Palermo. The operation, launched during the night, led to the execution of 183 restrictive measures, dismantling entire mafia districts and decapitating criminal hierarchies.

The restrictive measure

The investigation, coordinated by the Palermo District Anti-Mafia Directorate, led to the arrest of 163 people, including 33 already detained for other crimes. The suspects are accused of various crimes, including mafia association, attempted murder, extortion, drug trafficking, personal aiding and abetting, weapons-related crimes and illegal gambling.

The operations involved the mafia districts of Porta Nuova, Pagliarelli, Tommaso Natale – San Lorenzo and Bagheria, with the deployment of over 1.200 carabinieri from specialized departments. At the same time, the Carabinieri of the ROS of Palermo executed a precautionary order against 20 leaders and followers of the Santa Maria del Gesù district.

The structure and modus operandi of “Cosa Nostra”

Investigations have revealed that the Palermo mafia continues to be a structured organization capable of adapting to modern times. While maintaining traditional activities such as extortion, drug trafficking and illegal gambling, affiliates have adopted advanced technologies to evade investigations, including encrypted smartphones to coordinate activities without physical meetings.

An emblematic example is the case of a member of the Porta Nuova district, a fugitive for about two years, who thanks to these devices was able to manage his district without directly exposing himself. His arrest, which occurred in March 2024, subsequently led to the capture of his supporters.

Interim coordination and criminal collaborations

The investigations have highlighted a strong cooperation between the city districts and a centralized management of lucrative activities such as drug trafficking and illegal gambling. Collaborations with members of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta and the mafia gangs of Agrigento and Catania for the joint management of illicit trafficking.

Although we cannot speak of a new Provincial Commission, it is clear that there is coordination between the Palermo clans to manage criminal affairs.

The Mafia Code and the Control of the Territory

Investigations have confirmed that respect for internal rules is still a fundamental pillar of the organization. Wiretaps have revealed that “you can only leave Cosa Nostra by dying.” The use of a written mafia code to regulate internal relationships has also been ascertained.

Control of the territory is guaranteed through extortion and impositions on traders, with the request for “pizzo” and the forced supply of products from mafia suppliers. In the district of Corso Calatafimi, a trader suffered threats and pressure for having resisted extortion demands.

In the mandate of Thomas Christmas – St. Lawrence, the mafia organization also imposed the payment of a tax on drugs not purchased through its own channels, thus ensuring itself income even if the drug dealing was managed by third parties.

Gambling and drug trafficking

Digital gambling is one of the most profitable activities of “Cosa Nostra”, which imposes its protection on entrepreneurs in the sector, guaranteeing millionaire earnings. Some entrepreneurs from Carini would have developed a software for online gambling and would have associated with the mafia leaders for its diffusion.

Drug trafficking remains one of the main sources of income for the Palermo mafia. Investigations have revealed close ties with Calabrian organizations to ensure a constant flow of drugs. They have been seized 43 kg of cocaine, 8,5 kg of hashish and 335 grams of crack, a substance that is increasingly widespread among young people in Palermo.

The availability of weapons and the use of violence

The investigations have shown that the mafia organization has a well-stocked arsenal. In the district of Tommaso Natale – San Lorenzo, they have seized Firearms, 7,65mm pistols, rifles and ammunition.

“Cosa Nostra” does not disdain to solve problems through violence. A member of the Tommaso Natale – San Lorenzo district allegedly ordered the beating of a man to avenge a theft suffered by his son. In another case, a craftsman was seriously injured for not respecting an agreement with a mafioso.

The network of informants and internal protection

The investigation revealed a dense network of informants. A judicial clerk from the Palermo prosecutor's office was arrested for passing confidential information to the mafia, including details of wiretaps and upcoming operations.

A lawyer with ties to a clan allegedly warned a boss that he was under investigation and that his car had been intercepted, allowing him to evade controls for a certain period of time.

The conclusions of the operation

The anti-mafia operation has highlighted the constant attempt of “Cosa Nostra” to regenerate itself, despite the continuous counteractions. However, the investigative capacity of the police forces has once again demonstrated that it can hit organized crime hard, decapitating the main mafia hierarchies and inflicting a severe blow to their finances.

Investigations continue to identify any supporters and colluders, while the Palermo Public Prosecutor's Office continues its action to eradicate the mafia phenomenon from the territory.