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Sicilian Mafia Rebuilding US Family Ties

NY mob busts expose stronger links between Italians and Yanks

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2008 8:40 AM CST

(Newser) – The Sicilian Mafia is sending people to the US to revitalize old family ties with its American cousins that faded in the '80s, according to a new report by the Italian government. The FBI nabbed more than 80 New York mobsters in a recent swoop code-named "Old Bridge,"  reports the BBC, referring to the transatlantic the mob link.

Italian police say that many food distribution and construction companies in the US are now controlled by mobsters like the Gambino family with direct links to Sicily. The crime clans are branching out from old family businesses like extortion and racketeering into things like online gambling, as well as continuing to control the illegal drug trade.

This five picture composite shows head shots made available, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, by Italian Police of five men identified as, Filippo Casamenteo, Frank Cali', Giovanni Inzerillo, Salvatore Di Maggio and Domenico Cefalu'. The five men were arrested during raids on Mafia hideouts in New York and Italy on Thursday,...
This five picture composite shows head shots made available, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, by Italian Police of five men identified as, Filippo Casamenteo, Frank Cali', Giovanni Inzerillo, Salvatore Di Maggio...   (Associated Press)
US assistant special FBI agent in charge David Shafer is framed by the US and Italian flags during a press conference. Police recently raided Mafia hideouts in New York and Italy, arresting dozens of suspected mobsters accused of controlling drug trafficking on both sides of the Atlantic. Officials were hunting...
US assistant special FBI agent in charge David Shafer is framed by the US and Italian flags during a press conference. Police recently raided Mafia hideouts in New York and Italy, arresting dozens of...   (Associated Press)
Police officers inspect the house in Palermo, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, where police raided a summit of Mafia dons in Sicily on Monday arresting a longtime fugitive who authorities say was revitalizing the crime syndicate's ties with US mobsters. The capture Monday of Salvatore Lo Piccolo dealt another blow to...
Police officers inspect the house in Palermo, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, where police raided a summit of Mafia dons in Sicily on Monday arresting a longtime fugitive who authorities say was revitalizing...   (Associated Press)
Law enforcement officer stand with weapons and guard the police van in Manhattan, after American and Italian authorities arrested dozens of people Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in a takedown of the remnants of New York's Gambino crime family also meant to cripple a trans-Atlantic drug trafficking operation run by the...
Law enforcement officer stand with weapons and guard the police van in Manhattan, after American and Italian authorities arrested dozens of people Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in a takedown of the remnants...   (Associated Press)
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