Italian police have arrested a nun, Sister Anna Donelli, along with 24 others in a significant crackdown on the 'Ndrangheta mafia, accused of facilitating communication between incarcerated gang members and the outside world. The extensive investigation revealed money laundering activities and implicated local politicians, highlighting the criminal organization's pervasive influence.
Mafia Links Shatter Silence: Nun Arrested in Major Italian Sting
Mafia Links Shatter Silence: Nun Arrested in Major Italian Sting
In a stunning turn of events, Italian authorities apprehend a nun among 24 suspects in a massive operation against the 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate, exposing deep-seated connections between religious figures and organized crime.
Italian police made headlines recently by arresting 24 individuals, including a nun, in a coordinated operation targeting the notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia. The arrested nun, identified in reports as Sister Anna Donelli, is suspected of acting as a messenger for imprisoned mafia members, leveraging her role as a volunteer within the prison system.
Among the 24 arrested were two politicians, reflecting the extensive reach of the 'Ndrangheta, one of Europe's most influential and feared criminal entities. Authorities conducted simultaneous raids across various regions, notably Lombardy, Veneto, and Calabria, seizing assets valued at over €1.8 million (£1.5 million).
The aggressive action follows a four-year investigation delving into the criminal syndicate's activities, with police confirming that their inquiries established the nun's significant yet unsuspecting role in aiding mafia operations. The Brescia Carabinieri highlighted that her religious standing afforded her unrestricted access to prison facilities, enabling her to facilitate communication that strengthened mafia ties.
As operations unfolded, police mobilized hundreds of officers, alongside specialized sniffer dog units trained to detect weapons, drugs, and cash. This multi-faceted approach underscores the campaign's seriousness, as investigators connect the criminal network's activities to a scrap metal trade, which they allege served as a façade for laundering approximately €12 million in illicit funds.
Emerging from the economically depressed region of Calabria, the 'Ndrangheta's notoriety as one of the world's most formidable mafia organizations continues to grow. Notably, last November marked a historic moment when over 200 individuals received sentences totaling more than 2,200 years during one of Italy's most significant mafia trials in decades, illustrating the government's commitment to dismantling such powerful criminal networks.
