Cosenza: 5 people arrested for extortion aggravated by mafia methods

The State Police of Cosenza and the Carabinieri Company of Scalea carried out this morning theprecautionary measure order in prison, issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge at the Court of Catanzaro, against 5 subjects – one of whom was already detained for another reason – on the basis of the presumed existence of serious evidence in relation to the crimes, of various kinds, of extortion committed and attempted, in competition, crimes aggravated by the mafia method and purpose.

The provision, issued at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office - District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Catanzaro, arises from an in-depth investigation coordinated by the DDA of Catanzaro which was developed through traditional investigations, technical activities, field feedback and dynamic services on the territory carried out by the Investigative Section of the Central Operations Service (SISCO) of Catanzaro, by the Flying Squad of the Cosenza Police Headquarters and, supported in the executive phase by personnel of the Crime Prevention Unit "Calabria - Northern", by the Carabinieri Stations competent for the territory, as well as by a canine unit of the State Police.

The seriousness of the evidence obtained, through the detailed and complex investigative investigations, it concerned some serious extortion acts perpetrated by the aforementioned 5 individuals against an entrepreneur operating in the construction sector,with the request for sums of money claimed as "forms of protection" for the purpose of the peaceful continuation of the company's economic activities and also to support the expenses of individuals held in prison; in particular, the victim was required to pay a sum of money equal to 3% of the amount of public contracts relating to some works in progress in the upper Tyrrhenian area of ​​Cosenza.