Italian police arrest 91 mafia members

Dozens of suspected members of the Sicilian mafia were arrested in simultaneous raids across the country, Italian media reported on Tuesday.

The arrests were carried out by the Guardia di Finanza, which is in charge of financial crimes and regularly accused of having demolished organized crime figures. They also seized assets worth 15 million euros.

Among those arrested were 91 bosses, deputies, extortionists and decorative figures from the Acquasanta, Arenella, Ferrante and Fontana families, who historically exercised control over parts of the Sicilian capital, Palermo.

They are charged with money laundering, drug trafficking, sports fraud, receiving stolen property, extortion and belonging to a Mafia organization. The charges are also linked to corruption in the Palermo fruit and vegetable market.

Authorities fear that the crowd will use the coronavirus pandemic to increase their power even when violent crimes are brutally dropped due to the blockade.

Police have also arrested a former Big Brother competitor accused of acting as the head of the Mafia.