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MAFIA

Italy and FBI bust mafia network in NYC pizzeria

The Italian police and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) joined forces to crackdown on suspected mafia members operating on both sides of the Atlantic.

Published: 7 May 2015 12:31 CEST
Italy and FBI bust mafia network in NYC pizzeria
The mafia network reportedly had its base in a New York restaurant: Photo: New York photo: Shutterstock

Italy and the FBI launched the sweep against members of 'Ndrangheta, the notorious Calabria-based mafia group, Ansa reported on Thursday.

Fifteen people have so far been detained, while around 30 are being investigated.

The suspects are alleged to have operated a drug trafficking ring between Italy, the US and South America, the Italian news website said, citing sources.

The gang reportedly had its base in a New York pizzeria run by a man from Calabria, and would smuggle cocaine stashed in containers of bananas and exotic fruit out of South America. The containers would then be sent on to Europe.

Properties were searched and assets seized, including over US $100,000, several guns, cocaine and marijuana found in the restaurant, Ansa said. 

The probe found alliances between 'Ndrangheta and the Sicilian-American mafia families Gambino, Lucchese, Bonanno, Genovese and Colombo, La Reppublica reported.

Meanwhile, a New York mafia boss was extradited to Italy last month after allegedly demanding €1 million from an Italian businessman.

Francesco Palmeri was extradited to Italy following his arrest last December in New York.

He's accused of travelling to southern Italy and threatening a businessman in the Puglia town of Matera, demanding repayment of a €1 million loan owed to New York’s Gambino mafia clan.

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POLICE

Police to question Norwegian prime minister over Covid-19 rule break

Police are questioning witnesses and have confirmed that they plan to question Prime Minister Erna Solberg after she breached local and national coronavirus rules.

Published: 22 March 2021 17:31 CET
Police to question Norwegian prime minister over Covid-19 rule break
Photo: screenshot Instagram: @erna_solberg

In a statement released on Monday police said they had “started questioning witnesses and are now conducting investigations to find out the circumstances surrounding possible violations.”

Police will also question the PM’s husband Sindre Finnes.

Per Morten Sending, prosecutor for the Buskerud area with the southeastern police district, told newspaper VG police considered it would be “relevant to have a chat with both Erna Solberg and Sondre Finnes”.

Solberg apologized on Friday after it emerged that during her 60th birthday trip to ski resort Geilo, in southern Norway, two private gatherings with more than 10 people present took place, in breach of restrictions in place at the time.

READ ALSO: These are Norway’s Covid-19 guidelines for the Easter holidays

Police launched an investigation into the two gatherings. Solberg was only present at one of the two.

“For the time being, it is too early to say anything about when we can conclude this investigation. We must conduct interviews to gain clarity on what has happened and whether this can be followed up with regard to local or national (coronavirus) regulations,” Sending said.

“It may also be relevant to question the prime minister and her husband,” Sending added.

Sending told broadcaster NRK that police expect to finish the investigations and questioning later this week.

If prosecuted, the prime minister is likely to face a fine, police told NRK on Friday.

“If they come to the conclusion that rules have been broken, we will of course make up for it. I’m prepared to pay fines if we’ve broken the rules,” Solberg told NRK.

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