Foreign links, business

and bloody feuds


(ANSA) - Rome, August 16 - The gangland shooting of six Italians in Germany in an ongoing feud between rival clans may indicate the Calabrian crime syndicate 'Ndrangheta is much stronger abroad than previously realized, experts say.

Mafia authorities in Italy have warned for some time that 'Ndrangheta's strength has surpassed that of its better-known rivals, Sicily's Cosa Nostra, but Wednesday morning's execution-style killings show the network is putting down roots further afield.

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS.

On Thursday, one of Italy's leading 'Ndrangheta experts, author Antonio Nicaso, told ANSA that the syndicate was operating across Europe: "It is present in all European countries, particularly France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, England and the Netherlands," he said. "We also have to keep a close eye on Austria and particularly Spain".

Branches of the 'Ndrangheta are also known to operate in Latin America, Canada and Australia, the result of emigration from Italy during the 20th century.

A recent parliamentary report by the Italian secret services noted: "'Ndrangheta groups tend to cluster where there is the clearest and most settled emigrant communities, in order to preserve their power to intimidate and their ability to penetrate the local economic and financial fabric".

In Germany, noted the report, "individuals close to the Calabrian clans have carried out major investments in the hotel and restaurant sectors".

Nicaso similarly highlighted 'Ndrangheta's predominantly financial interests in Germany until now, indicating the latest killings may mark a new turn in its foreign operations.

"In the past, 'Ndrangheta was interested in Germany, in the same way it was involved in France and Belgium: as a country in which to launder money," he said.

"It has traditionally kept a low profile and operated quietly. The decision to change a place traditionally used for investments into the site of a feud could disrupt a number of balances".

'NDRANGHETA STRUCTURE.

Although the Sicilian Mafia is better known, experts believe 'Ndrangheta is the more powerful of the two organizations. This is partly because of its sheer size - an estimated 7,000 compared to the Mafia's 5,000 - but it is also the result of its structure.

While Cosa Nostra, and its respective counterparts in Campania and Puglia, the Camorra and the Sacra Corona Unita, have opened up their ranks to outsiders - particularly foreigners once they venture abroad - 'Ndrangheta has remained a strictly family affair.

"'Ndrangheta tends not to break down abroad, showing its strength lies in its nature: the impenetrability of its structure and the resources it devotes to blood ties," said Nicaso.

The emphasis on family also means arrested mobsters are less likely to implicate other gang members under Italian laws that provide more lenient sentences for convicts who turn state's evidence.

'Ndrangheta's lack of a single, overarching boss is another benefit it enjoys over other criminal organizations.

In an interview with British daily The Guardian last year, top anti-mafia prosecutor Enzo Macri described Cosa Nostra as "a pyramid".

"Cut off the top of the pyramid by arresting its leader and it has big problems. In Calabria, on the other hand, what you have is a federation. There are moments when some of the elements in the federation will come together, but it is more than anything for purposes of coordination," he told the daily.

Finally, 'Ndrangheta has been identified as the Italian crime organization most open to change, which will continue to stand it in good stead for the future.

"The 'Ndrangheta has shown a great adaptability and openness to the process of modernization," said Nicaso.

"For example, Italy's Mafia Investigation Department (DIA) says its members are the ones who use the internet most in order to launder revenue from their lucrative activities".

BIG BUSINESS.

And all accounts suggest the 'Ndrangheta makes billions.

A recent report by social research institute Eurispes said the Calabrian group made 36 billion euros in 2004 - 3.4% of Italy's GDP.

Drug trafficking was the organisation's most profitable business, generating 22.3 billion euros, Eurispes said.

Skimming off money from public works contracts and general business corruption were the next most lucrative activities, netting the group more than 4.7 billion euros - the equivalent of 18.6% of Calabria's GDP.

Prostitution and arms trafficking made the 'Ndrangheta an estimated 4.6 billion while extortion and loan-sharking brought in 4.1 billion.

Aside from funds for public works projects, 'Ndrangheta has also moved in on state contributions for health care and agriculture, according to the DIA.

'Ndrangheta's links to the Colombian cocaine trade have drawn particular attention.

According to the DIA, the Calabrian crime syndicate holds a virtual monopoly on drug trafficking in Europe, particularly on cocaine.

In July, Colombia's Ambassador to Italy, Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, said the organization's drug operations in Colombia generate around "100 billion euros a year in revenue, equal to 100% of Colombia's GDP".

INTER-CLAN RIVALRY.

However, according to the Italian secret services' report, 'Ndrangheta's economic success is also responsible for a parallel growth in its bloody feuds.

"While on the one hand, more potential revenue encourages members to reach agreements in order to promote business, on the other hand, it has also boosted inter-clan competition," said the report.

Recent years have seen an upsurge in violence, with constant battling between various clans for dominance in different areas.

According to the secret services report, there are 73 'Ndrangheta clans operating in the province of Reggio Calabria, 21 in Catanzaro, 17 in Cosenza, seven in Vibo Valentia and 13 in Crotone.

Some 700 people died in the last 'Ndrangheta "war", between 1985 and 1991, while the murders in Germany are thought to be the latest fatalities in a feud that started in February 1991 during carnival celebrations.

Aug. 16, 2007 - ANSA English