Overview

• A coordinated operation involving 1,200 officers led to the arrest of 181 suspected members of the Cosa Nostra in Palermo and nearby regions.
• Among those arrested were several high-ranking Mafia bosses allegedly involved in crimes such as murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and illegal gambling.
• Investigators uncovered the network through intercepted communications, including encrypted messages and conversations overheard via surveillance devices.
• The Cosa Nostra's operations reportedly included lucrative ventures in online gambling, as well as a welfare fund to support families of imprisoned members.
• The raid marks a significant blow to the Mafia's influence in Sicily, though authorities continue to pursue additional suspects still at large.