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'Ndrangheta Mafia undone: Italy arrests 300 in huge crackdown
Italy struck a major blow against the little known 'Ndrangheta mafia–the country's most dangerous and impenetrable mafia organization–Tuesday when police arrested 300 alleged members on charges of murder, drugs trafficking, and extortion.
In the biggest operation against the shadowy syndicate in 15 years, more than 3,000 armed police raided homes, offices, and mafia strongholds across the country, arresting the alleged head of the organization, Domenico Oppedisano, an 80-year-old godfather.
Mr. Oppedisano had been serving as the head of the organization since last year, when he was formally anointed leader at a lavish mafia wedding, according to Italian police.
For decades the 'Ndrangheta has been based in the southern region of Calabria, in the toe of the Italian boot, but has in recent years thrived on cocaine trafficking and spread its tentacles to northern Europe, the United States, South America, and Australia.