Genk(The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The ‘Ndrangheta, a powerful Calabrian mafia group was targeted in a major international operation involving over 150 police officers across Europe leading to numerous arrests for drug trafficking money laundering and other crimes.
They were investigating the Calabrian mafia and focused on the ‘Ndrangheta clanwhich is a big criminal group. It was a huge operation with lots of police officers involved. They searched over 150 houses in different countries like Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Romania and Slovenia. The investigation revealed crimes like money laundering, tax evasion, fraud and smuggling drugs on a large scale.
How is the ‘Ndrangheta Involved in International Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime?
The investigation found that the ‘Ndrangheta was deeply involved in bringing large amounts of cocaine from Latin America. They worked with criminal groups from Colombia, Brazil and Albania. It has been said that this major operation showed just how widespread the ‘Ndrangheta’s criminal activities are and how important it is for countries to work together to tackle such large and complex crime networks.
In Genk 150 cops joined in on this long investigation called Eureka. They used spies and bugs at the Limburg ‘Ndrangheta branch. By decrypting Sky ECC messages they got more leads. It led to five guys being sent back to their country. Lucio Aquino from Maasmechelen got away because the Belgians wanted to check his role in another case first. Two brothers from the Nita and Strangio families locked up in Italy now. They tried to avoid being moved to De Laars prison due to fear of the strict mafia rules there but it didn’t work. The cops in Belgium found guns, fancy cars, bling, and lots of cash during the operation.
The Nirta brothers Marcello and Giuseppe are in hot water too. They’re said to be tight with the Strangio’s and the bigwigs in Calabria. Marcello, suspected of mafia ties runs a popular pizza spot in Genk. Lots of famous folks from Limburg go there like soccer players, singers, and politicians. They’re looking at 17 years in the slammer each. Donato Silvio Aquino’s 36-year-old nephew, has a separate court date in Italy. The trial for the Nirta and Strangio brothers is set for October.
