11 arrests in Palermo and Trapani linked to mafia’s control over supermarkets and renewable energy: blow to the Salemi clan.
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Six people in prison, 5 on house arrest, and another 12 people under investigation. This is the result of an operation carried out this morning (April 16) in the provinces of Trapani, Palermo, Como, and Rimini by the investigative unit of the Trapani provincial command, along with colleagues from Palermo and personnel from the relevant police authorities in different areas. The precautionary measures were issued by the Palermo Court against a total of 23 people, investigated for various crimes including mafia association, corruption, auction disturbance, fraudulent transfer of funds, receipt of stolen goods, and money laundering. The investigation targeted historical mafia figures in Salemi, allies of boss Matteo Messina Denaro who are accused of laundering millions of euros and forming a strong alliance with Calabrian crime groups.
One key figure in the investigation is Angelo Salvatore, the Salemi mafia boss, who has already been convicted of mafia association and is believed to have managed Matteo Messina Denaro’s investments in renewable energies. After being released in 2019, Salvatore resumed illegal activities with the help of his son Andrea, forming a criminal group capable of laundering huge sums of money collected from various illegal activities. The organization also attempted to acquire 12 Coop Sicilia stores with the aim of laundering money for the ‘ndrangheta and cleaning the money of Calogero John Luppino, an online betting kingpin and close ally of the former fugitive.
The investigation also uncovered a bid-rigging scheme for a public service contract to develop electrical distribution lines on Favignana Island, with suspicions of bribery involving entrepreneurs from Campobello di Mazara. The article concludes with a list of the names of the individuals under investigation by the Trapani and Palermo police authorities.
Le mani della mafia su supermercati ed energia rinnovabile, 11 arresti fra Palermo e Trapani: colpo alla cosca di Salemi
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