Rome, June 14 (IANS/AKI) Police in Italy's southern Calabria region have arrested 23 suspects on charges of mafia association, drugs and arms trafficking, property fraud, money laundering and abetting fugitives from justice.
The suspects belong to the 'Ndrangheta's Ascone di Rosarno clan. Members of the Calabrian mafia's Pesce and Bellocco families were arrested in two earlier phases of the operation, police said.
The Ascone di Rosarno, Pesce and Bellocco clans have been seeking to consolidate their grip on the territory and bring smaller feuding local families under their rule, investigators said.
Calabria's 'Ndrangheta is one of the wealthiest and most powerful of Italy's mafia crime syndicates.
It controls the European cocaine trade, has close ties with South American drug cartels and also operates in northern Europe, Australia and Canada.
--IANS/AKI
pm/
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
