Camorra
The Camorra is a powerful and long-standing Italian mafia-type organized crime syndicate based primarily in the region of Campania, with its stronghold in Naples, Italy. Here are key details about the Camorra:
Origins and History
- The origins of the Camorra can be traced back to the 16th century when groups of outlaws began to form in the prisons of Naples. These groups evolved over time into what is now known as the Camorra.
- By the 19th century, the Camorra had become involved in various illegal activities, including smuggling, protection rackets, and gambling. They also provided services to the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, such as protection and mediation in disputes.
- The Camorra was officially recognized as a criminal organization in the 19th century, particularly after the unification of Italy when they opposed the new government's efforts to control Naples.
Structure and Activities
- The Camorra does not have a centralized structure like some other mafias. Instead, it is composed of many independent clans or families, each controlling their territory and activities, although some coordination does occur.
- Their criminal activities include:
- Drug Trafficking: They are heavily involved in the distribution of drugs, particularly cocaine and heroin.
- Loan Sharking: Providing high-interest loans to people who can't access traditional banking.
- Extortion: Known as "pizzo," this involves demanding protection money from businesses.
- Waste Management: The Camorra has been notorious for illegal waste disposal, turning areas of Campania into toxic landfills.
- Construction: Through corruption, they influence public contracts and private construction.
- Political Corruption: They often infiltrate local and regional governments to protect their interests.
Notable Events and Figures
- Carmine Alfieri, known as "Don Carmine," was a key figure in the 1980s and 1990s, leading one of the Camorra's most powerful clans.
- The Secondigliano Alliance was a significant federation of Camorra clans in the late 20th century, which controlled much of the drug trade in Naples.
- The 1982 Caserta Prison Riot, where Camorra members orchestrated a mass escape, highlighted their influence within the prison system.
Legal Actions and Current Status
- In the 1980s and 1990s, several high-profile trials, like the Maxi-Trial, dealt significant blows to the Camorra, leading to the arrest and conviction of many key figures.
- Operation Clean Hands in the 1990s also targeted political corruption linked to the Camorra.
- Despite these efforts, the Camorra continues to be a significant problem in Italy, adapting to new environments and maintaining its criminal activities through a mix of old and new methods.
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