Palermo: Suspect in ‘Ndrangheta investigation arrested at port

Last Updated: December 5, 2023

One of the nine Calabrians arrested on charges of mafia association, extortion, and other crimes has been apprehended at the port of Palermo upon returning from a Mediterranean cruise. The arrests were made following a court order issued by the district anti-mafia directorate in Calabria. Five individuals have been placed in prison, while four are under house arrest. The arrests are related to a criminal organization known as the Macario clan, associated with the Arena crime family of Isola Capo Rizzuto. The investigation was sparked by a landowner’s report of threats and forced occupation of his property. The probe, which lasted from June 2019 to September 2022, involved wiretaps, surveillance, and witness statements, confirming the existence of the Macario family clan with ties to the Arena crime family.