Tue Feb 11 14:09:51 UTC 2025: ## Italian Police Launch Massive Anti-Mafia Crackdown in Palermo
**Rome, Italy –** In a major blow to the Sicilian Mafia, Italian police arrested nearly 150 individuals in a sweeping operation across Palermo and surrounding areas on February 11, 2025. The operation, involving over 1,200 officers, is considered the largest against the Cosa Nostra since 1984. Warrants were issued for 183 people, with charges including mafia association, attempted murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and illegal gambling.
While the Sicilian Mafia’s power has diminished compared to its peak and to the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta, authorities emphasized that the Cosa Nostra continues to exert significant control, using encrypted communication technology to maintain operations. The two-year investigation revealed continued extortion (“pizzo”) from businesses, forced use of Mafia-controlled goods and services (including seafood distribution), and instances of violence. Despite efforts to avoid attracting attention, weapons were discovered during the raids, highlighting the continued potential for brutality.
The investigation also uncovered a wide network of informants, leading to the arrest of a Palermo prosecutor’s office clerk accused of leaking confidential files. Despite years of crackdowns, police noted that the Mafia still recruits young people.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the operation, stating it demonstrates the government’s commitment to combating organized crime. The arrests represent a significant step in disrupting the Cosa Nostra’s activities in Sicily, although the ongoing challenge of organized crime in Italy remains.
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