Prosecutors in Naples, Italy, say Camorra mobsters tried to intimidate local grocers. The mafia pressured grocers into buying bread from clan-controlled bakeries and selling it at higher prices. That way members of the Italian mafia could pocket the difference.
In a crackdown on the Lo Russo crime clan on Monday, police arrested 24 suspects in the alleged extortion scheme. Several of those arrested were sons of Carlo Lo Russo, a high-ranking member of the Lo Russo mafia family.
The Camorra is an Italian mafia secret society. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating back to the 16th century.
Extortion—the practice of getting money or goods by threats or force—is a key activity of the Naples-based Camorra syndicate.
The recently uncovered plot targeted grocery stores, supermarkets, and street vendors. The mob ordered bread to be sold at 30 cents higher than market price. Authorities allege that the "extra profit" went to mafia members.
Prosecutor Giovanni Colangelo told reporters that some grocers bowed to fear and bought the bread.
Other shopkeepers refused the extortion demands. They informed police of the scheme. Authorities said eavesdropping devices and intercepted phone calls helped the probe.
