Rome – One of the largest mafia trials in Italy in history kicked off Wednesday in southern Italy. Hundreds of defendants are accused of working for an atrocious criminal enterprise with tentacles reaching so far around the world. He reportedly made more money selling drugs than McDonald’s selling burgers.
If you have never heard ofNdrangheta crime syndicate, which may have to do with the difficulty of pronouncing the name. (Approximately: DRAHN-get-ah)
The ‘Ndrangheta is based in the southern region of Calabria – to the “tip” of the “boot” of Italy on a map – from which it coordinates a global drug trafficking network which generates tens of billions of euros each year, mainly from cocaine.
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There are more than 350 suspects in this case, including politicians and other officials accused of being members of Ndrangheta. About 900 witnesses will give statements against them and about 400 lawyers are also involved in the mass trial, which will be even more complicated by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Authorities had to build a high-security, high-capacity courtroom with a capacity for 1,000 people, socially distanced, just for the trial. However, thanks to COVID-19 many of the defendants will appear via the video link from prison.
Italian officials take health and safety concerns very seriously. The last time he held a so-called “maxi-process” even comparable to this was in the 90s, against the Cosa Nostra mafia in Sicily.
Shortly afterwards, his two chief judges were assassinated.