Italian police target Mafia and drugs trade in major raids
Italian police have carried out two large-scale raids against organized crime, investigators said on Wednesday.
As part of an operation called Millennium, the Carabinieri targeted a total of 97 suspects who are members of important 'Ndrangheta clans.
The suspects are accused of controlling illegal drug imports from South America via the Italian port of Gioia Tauro, with the help of harbour employees.
In addition to drug trafficking, the accusations against them include extortion, kidnapping, election manipulation and arms trafficking.
Two companies - a catering business and a construction company - were seized as a precautionary measure, as they were allegedly used for illegal Mafia business.
The raids took place in Milan, Rome and Bologna, among other places.
Albania link
At the same time, Italian and Albanian investigators carried out a separate operation targeting large-scale trafficking of cocaine and heroin as well as money laundering and abuse of office.
According to the authorities, the investigation revealed evidence of drug shipments and cash flows totalling over €4.5 million (%5.1 million), which were smuggled from Italy to Albania by long-distance coach.
The centre of the group's activities is said to have been the city of Durrës on the Albanian coast.
A total of 52 suspects were targeted in the raids, including two police officers and a lawyer, said Albanian public prosecutor Vladimir Mara.
One of the police officers is suspected of being part of the smuggling network, while the other is accused of corruption.
The lawyer is suspected of having exerted illegal influence on various public officials, Mara said.
Assets worth several million euros were seized in Albania and Italy, including real estate, a television station and four luxury restaurants.
The operation was led by Italy's anti-Mafia and anti-terrorism police in cooperation with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust). Interpol also took part in the cross-border crackdown.
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