Illicit trafficking, extortion, and designer goods: all about the Pillera-Puntina clan in Catania

Last Updated: December 1, 2023

This morning, 18 people, including three women, were arrested by the State Police in Catania. They were targeted in an order issued by the judge for the alleged involvement in an organization that managed extortions against local entrepreneurs in a mafia-style and participated in a drug trafficking association. The operations were named “Double Breast” and involved both traditional extortion methods and imposition of discounted rates on branded clothing, all to the detriment of well-known shops in Catania. Fourteen of the suspects were taken to prison and four were placed under house arrest. Among those arrested were the two sons of Giacomo Maurizio Ieni, a historic member of the Pillera Puntina crime family, who died in prison, as well as the widow of Ieni, and representatives of the Cappello-Bonaccorsi and Nizza groups, which are part of the Santapaola-Ercolano Mafia family. It was found that Dario Giuseppe Antonio Ieni had taken over his father’s business affairs and continued to extort well-known entrepreneurs in the transport and logistics sector. Another son, Francesco, was involved in the procurement of cocaine from Calabria and marijuana from Spain, which was then sold to retail to the leaders of the Catania crime groups and others. It was also discovered that Giacomo Maurizio Ieni was a co-owner of a catering and beverage establishment, which was seized as part of the investigation.