Abdelrahman
Italian authorities have initiated a significant crackdown on Mafia factions in and around Palermo, Sicily, executing a series of coordinated raids. Over 1,200 law enforcement officials participated in this extensive operation, led by the military Carabinieri force, with the mission of “dismantling” the Mafia presence in the region.
These operations mark one of the largest efforts in recent years, reflecting a determined attempt by Italian officials to prevent the Mafia from re-establishing its leadership body known as the Cupola. In recent months, several Mafia leaders have been released from prison following successful appeals. However, investigators report that those still incarcerated have allegedly utilized encrypted mobile phones to maintain their illegal operations.
Authorities have discovered that Sicily’s Cosa Nostra has modernized its strategies, eliminating the necessity for in-person meetings among members. One local figure has reportedly managed to remain in hiding while still exerting control over organized crime within his territory, according to police sources.
For over a century, the infamous Mafia has exerted influence over Sicilian towns and cities, extorting local businesses through protection rackets and reaping considerable profits from drug trafficking. In the early 1990s, courageous anti-Mafia prosecutors faced dire consequences as they attempted to counter these criminal activities. The arrest of Salvatore “Toto” Riina, known as the “boss of bosses,” in 1993 in Palermo marked a pivotal moment, followed by the capture of notorious mobster Matteo Messina Denaro in 2023 during a visit to a local healthcare facility.
Despite the incarceration of many Mafia members, the Carabinieri revealed that some have managed to smuggle small mobile phones into their prisons, thereby continuing their illicit enterprises. The police have uncovered details regarding the Mafia’s encrypted communications by installing surveillance devices in the homes and vehicles of suspects. However, they have yet to unlock the encryption, limiting their eavesdropping capabilities.
According to La Repubblica, authorities are actively pursuing individuals in the encrypted chats known by aliases like Robert de Niro and Spider Man. The recent raids commenced at dawn, targeting various Mafia clans throughout Palermo, from the northern neighborhood of Tommaso Natale to the central area of Porta Nuova.
The investigation has encompassed a wide array of alleged crimes, including Mafia affiliation, drug trafficking, attempted murder, and armed robbery. Among those arrested were several bosses who had previously served time and achieved release from custody. Notably, Tommaso Lo Presti, who spent 12 years imprisoned before his release in 2023, has been apprehended once again. Controversy arose last year when it was revealed that Lo Presti celebrated his silver wedding anniversary in a Palermo church dedicated to anti-Mafia prosecutor Giovanni Falcone, raising eyebrows within the community.
