Italy Arrests 130 in Major Crackdown on Sicilian Mafia

Italian authorities have arrested at least 130 individuals in a large-scale operation targeting the Sicilian mafia in Palermo. The arrests underscore that, despite past crackdowns, the criminal organization remains a powerful force. According to a statement from the Carabinieri police, the suspects face charges including drug trafficking, attempted murder, extortion, illegal online gambling, and unlawful possession of firearms. Additionally, authorities issued 33 more arrest warrants for individuals already serving sentences for other crimes. Investigations revealed that Palermo’s mafia families continue to coordinate their activities across the city and surrounding areas, particularly in drug trafficking, similar to the Cosa Nostra’s peak years. Police noted that inner-city mafia clans have regained influence after years of dominance by the Corleone faction, once led by infamous bosses Toto Riina and Bernardo Provenzano. Reacting to the arrests, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the operation on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a severe blow to Cosa Nostra and reaffirming the government’s commitment to eradicating organized crime.