Italy’s 1.5 billion euro ‘mob haul’

14/09/10 19:39 CET

world news

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It is being dubbed the biggest mob haul ever. Italy has seized Mafia-linked assets worth around 1.5 billion euros.

The probe centres on Sicilian businessman Vito Nicastri, known as ‘Lord of the Wind’ because of his vast holdings in alternative energy concerns.

As alleged links with mob leaders are investigated, the head of Italy’s anti-Mafia agency DIA presented the crackdown as a preemptive strike.
“We are preventatively targeting assets, because we want to weaken the criminal organisations, both in military and economic terms,” said General Antonio Girone.

Questions are being asked over whether organised crime is trying to ‘go green.’ Investigators say Nicastri’s companies ran wind farms as well as factories that produced solar energy panels.

Assets seized include bank accounts, fast cars and luxury yachts.

More about: Crime, Italy, Mafia

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