The mafia is often romanticized in the media with iconic movies and TV shows such as The Godfather (1972), Scarface (1983), or Peaky Blinders (2013). They’re popular enough that just about everyone can recognize “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” or “Say hello to my little friend.” After all, what’s not to like about witty, powerful, loyal antiheroes who operate right under the nose of the establishment? Of course, as with most glorification of violent crime, the reality is much darker.
The ‘Ndrangheta is Italy’s most powerful mafia and one of the largest, most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world. According to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, operations of the ‘Ndrangheta include embezzlement, contract-rigging, fraud, extortion, gambling, human and weapons trafficking, environmental crimes (e.g. toxic waste dumping), and high-level corruption schemes. In fact, while its roots lay in Calabria, a southern Italian region, it has now spread across over 40 countries, this widespread infiltration posing a significant threat due to its penetration of political and economic environments.
However, on May 3rd, over 100 people were arrested during the largest operation against the ‘Ndrangheta ever executed through a series of busts in Italy, also including the seizure of 25 million euros worth of assets and property. The suspects are under scrutiny for predominantly drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapon possession. Similarly, Pasquale Bonavota, one of ‘Ndragheta’s top bosses, was arrested on April 27th after 5 years on the run who was thought to be one of the main brains behind the family’s dealings. These busts were launched under Operation Eureka, an investigation lasting three years that resulted in raids across countries including Italy, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, and Slovenia. 18 countries in total are involved in an Interpol operation to combat ‘Ndrangheta violence and through infiltration, investigators were able to begin bringing down one of the world’s most significant crime networks.
Furthermore, prosecutors have said the operative has unveiled additional information about ‘Ndrangheta operations. For example, between October 2019 and January 2022 alone, nearly 25,000 kilograms of cocaine was smuggled, funneling over €22 million from their base in Calabria to Belgium, the Netherlands, and South America.
While the success of this operation alludes to the importance of international cooperation, the fight is not yet over. In fact, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, organized crime killed as many people as all armed conflicts combined between 2000-2017. A fourth Mafia, the Foggia Mafia, is continuing to emerge, leading to their eradication being declared a “national emergency” by officials. However, many organizations are working across the world to combat Mafia violence and maybe, eventually, The Godfather will become a reminiscence of the past.
