Italian Mafia bosses arrested

Scores of suspected Mafia members were arrested in a series of raids by Italian police today including three top men linked to the murder of six immigrants earlier this month.

The operation in Naples and surrounding areas, where the Camorra crime syndicate is based, also came up with €95mn in assets and weapons, including two AK-47s believed to have been used against the Africans.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni hailed the operation as a serious blow to the Camorra.

"We have waged war on the Camorra," he said. "We want to exert pressure like never before and keep this pressure up until the war is won."

The three men wanted for the murder of the African immigrants – all on Italy’s 100 top most-wanted list – were arrested in small villas on the coast near Naples.

Police also found pistols, Carabinieri outfits and other disguises. Another man suspected in the African killings was arrested last week.

In a separate operation involving hundreds of officers, police arrested 26 suspects believed to be part of a powerful Camorra clan.

The suspects are charged with Mafia association, extortion, illegal possession of weapons and, for some, murder and robbery.

Among those arrested was the wife of a jailed top boss, 48-year-old Giuseppina Nappa, who is believed to be the Camorra’s paymaster.

Italy is sending 500 more soldiers to the Caserta area this week in response to the September 18 shooting of the six Africans, which sparked rioting in an area already rife with lawlessness.

Police believe the Camorra orchestrated the killings to punish the Africans for drug trafficking.

The troops will patrol streets and man checkpoints in Caserta and other crime-ridden areas.

Weeks ago, Italy sent about 3,000 soldiers to the streets of major cities and tourist-sensitive sites to beef up security.