Italy has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and delectable cuisine. However, beneath this picturesque façade, a sinister shadow looms—one that has plagued the country for centuries. The 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful and secretive criminal organization, has operated in the shadows, wielding immense influence both within Italy and on a global scale. In this article, we will delve into the history, structure, and far-reaching influence of the 'Ndrangheta, shedding light on this enigmatic criminal syndicate.
The 'Ndrangheta, pronounced "un-drahn-get-ah," is one of the world's most notorious criminal organizations, ranking alongside the Sicilian Mafia, Cosa Nostra, and the Camorra. Originating in the southern region of Calabria, Italy, in the late 19th century, the 'Ndrangheta has grown to become an international criminal empire with its tentacles stretching across the globe.
The 'Ndrangheta's roots can be traced back to the tumultuous period of post-unification Italy, where the organization emerged as a secret society that opposed the central Italian government's control over the Calabrian region. Initially, it was formed as a form of self-defense against the abuse of power by local authorities and landowners. The rather strange sounding name comes from Greek and means 'heroism and virtue'. Until 1975, the 'Ndrangheta restricted their operations to their base in Calabria, and were mainly involved in extortion and blackmailing. Then a gang war started which killed 300 people. In the 1980s, the 'Ndrangheta began to kidnap rich people from northern Italy and hold them for ransom. John Paul Getty III was probably one of their victims, although it has never been proved.
The Second 'Ndrangheta war raged from 1985 to 1991. The bloody six-year war between the various clans left more than 600 dead. In the 1990s the organization started to import cocaine from Colombia. According to the Italian authorities, the 'Ndrangheta is now one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. Their activities include international cocaine and weapons smuggling, with Italian investigators estimating that 80% of Europe's cocaine passes through the Calabrian port of Gioia Tauro and is controlled by the 'Ndrangheta.
The 'Ndrangheta is known for its strict hierarchical structure, characterized by a code of silence known as "omertà." This code mandates loyalty, secrecy, and absolute obedience to the organization's leaders. The leadership of the 'Ndrangheta is organized into "families" or "clans," each headed by a boss known as a "capo crimine." Below the capo crimine are various ranks, including "guappi," who are responsible for carrying out criminal activities on the ground.
What distinguishes the 'Ndrangheta from other criminal organizations is its decentralization. Unlike the hierarchical structure of the Sicilian Mafia, the 'Ndrangheta operates as a federation of independent clans, each with its own power and autonomy. This structure makes it difficult for law enforcement to dismantle the organization entirely, as targeting one clan does not necessarily weaken the entire 'Ndrangheta network.
In 2006, the authorities discovered a submarine being constructed in Columbia. They believed it was being built on behalf of the 'Ndrangheta to smuggle cocaine out of the country. In 2007, twenty members of the organisation were arrested in Milan after money laundering activities were discovered. Also, in 2007, a further thirty men and women were arrested in San Luca, Calabria, over the earlier killing of six men in Germany. In 2009, an informant accused the 'Ndrangheta of dumping radio active waste off the Italian coast. Italian anti-organized crime agencies estimated in 2007 that the 'Ndrangheta had an annual revenue of about €35–40 billion, which amounts to approximately 3.5% of the GDP of Italy.
The 'Ndrangheta are well known for their long-running feuds. The 'Vendetta of San Luca' is a typical story. It involves two rival families: the Strangio-Nirta and the Pelle-Vottari-Romeo. It began at a carnival in 1991 when two members of the Strangio-Nirta were killed in a fight. This led to a series of revenge killings that including the killing of four people in one hour in 1993. A truce was called in 2000 only to be broken in 2006 when Maria Strangio, the wife of one of the clan's leaders, was shot.
At her funeral, her cousin Giovanni Strangio appeared with a gun intending to kill members of the Pelle-Romeo clan. He was arrested and released in July 2007. Soon after his release, six men belonging to the Pelle-Romeo clan were shot dead in Duisburg, Germany. One of the murdered men, Marco Marmo, was thought to be responsible for the murder of Maria Strangio. Giovanni Strangio was identified as one of the two triggermen who had fired more than 70 shots between them.
The 'Ndrangheta's influence extends well beyond Italy's borders. It has established a vast international presence, with strongholds in countries such as Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United States. These 'Ndrangheta branches operate as extensions of the Calabrian clans and engage in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.
One of the 'Ndrangheta's most lucrative ventures is the global drug trade. It is estimated that the organization controls a significant portion of the cocaine traffic into Europe, often working in partnership with South American drug cartels. This involvement in the drug trade has brought the 'Ndrangheta immense wealth and power, allowing it to infiltrate legitimate businesses and invest in various industries.
The 'Ndrangheta's global reach has made it a formidable player in the criminal underworld. Its ability to adapt to different environments and exploit international networks has enabled it to remain highly profitable and resilient in the face of law enforcement efforts to dismantle it.
The 'Ndrangheta's secretive nature and decentralized structure have posed significant challenges for law enforcement agencies attempting to combat its activities. The organization's code of silence, omertà, makes it difficult to gather evidence and secure witnesses willing to testify against its members.
Nevertheless, both Italian and international authorities have intensified their efforts to disrupt and dismantle the 'Ndrangheta. High-profile arrests and convictions of key 'Ndrangheta figures have occurred in recent years, signaling that law enforcement is making progress in the fight against this powerful criminal syndicate.
The 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful and secretive mafia, has a long and complex history that stretches back to the late 19th century. From its origins as a self-defense organization in Calabria, it has evolved into a global criminal empire with tentacles reaching far beyond Italy's borders. Its strict hierarchical structure, code of silence, and adaptability have made it a challenging target for law enforcement agencies, but efforts to combat its influence continue.
As the 'Ndrangheta continues to thrive in the shadows, it serves as a stark reminder that even in a country as beautiful and culturally rich as Italy, there exists a dark underbelly that continues to pose significant challenges to the rule of law. The fight against the 'Ndrangheta is ongoing, and its ultimate defeat will require unwavering dedication and international cooperation.
