Italy arrests over 180 in anti-mafia sting (VIDEO)

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has praised the raids as a “hard blow” to Cosa Nostra’s attempt at a revival

Italian police have carried out a large-scale raid against the Cosa Nostra mafia in Palermo, arresting 181 suspected members, including high-ranking bosses and alleged extortionists. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime in Sicily and prevent the mafia from regaining power.

The raid, launched on Tuesday and coordinated by the Anti-Mafia Directorate in Palermo, involved 1,200 officers. The authorities described the arrests as a “hard blow” to organized crime. Police also seized more than 50kg of drugs.

Investigators revealed that those arrested were linked to multiple mafia clans operating across Palermo and surrounding areas. The suspects face a range of charges, including mafia association, attempted murder, drug trafficking, extortion, illegal gambling, and weapons offenses.

The notorious Sicilian criminal organization Cosa Nostra terrorized Italy in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite decades of law enforcement crackdowns, investigators say Cosa Nostra remains active and continues working to rebuild its influence.

181 arresti a #Palermo: decapitata la regia dei traffici illeciti nel capoluogo condotti secondo le rigide regole di "cosa nostra". 1200 #Carabinieri in campo