Italy secured a major victory against organized crime on Saturday as 70 members of a notorious mafia group were convicted for a slew of crimes.
The trial, held in the Calabrian city of Lamezia Terme, resulted in multiple members of the ‘Ndrangheta crime family receiving the maximum 20-year sentence requested by prosecutors. Roughly a third of those charged received a sentence of at least 10 years, according to Agence France-Presse.
“Out of 91 defendants, there were 70 presumed innocent who were convicted,” prosecutor Nicola Gratteri told the press.
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The ‘Ndrangheta mafia controls the majority of cocaine flowing into Europe. Based in Italy’s poorest region of Calabria, in the toe of the peninsula’s boot, some of the group’s most dangerous members convicted include Domenico Macri of the group’s military wing, Pasquale Gallone, the right-hand man of alleged mob boss Luigi Mancuso, and Gregorio Niglia, whose role included procuring weapons and extortion, the outlet reported.
Those judged Saturday opted for an expedited trial, which allowed them to cut off a third of their sentence if convicted. Another 355 people have yet to be judged in proceedings, which are expected to last two years or longer, according to the outlet.
Charges in the case include association with mafia, attempted murder, money laundering, usury, drug-dealing, extortion, and illegal weapons possession. The other 21 defendants on Saturday were acquitted, seven at the request of prosecutors, the outlet reported.
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Gratteri, the prosecutor who sentenced the 70 defendants on Saturday, has had to live under police escort for more than 30 years due to his efforts to defeat the ‘Ndrangheta, per the outlet.
