Dozens held in anti-mafia raids in Italy
Published:Tuesday | March 8, 2011 | 1:13 PM
Police in Italy and Germany have arrested 35 people in an anti-mafia operation, with warrants also issued in Canada and Australia.
The operation targeted one of the most powerful global crime syndicates, known as the 'Ndrangheta which specialises in trafficking illegal drugs.
The Calabria-based syndicate is said to have carried out many vendetta killings in recent years including the massacre of six men in Duisburg, Germany, in August 2007.
Those arrested this morning are suspected of crimes including robbery, murder, drug trafficking, protection rackets, money laundering and possession of arms and explosives.
The police say three warrants have been issued in Canada and two in Australia.