A nun is amongst 24 individuals arrested in northern Italy in reference to a mafia investigation, Italian police have mentioned.
The nun, named in Italian press as Sister Anna Donelli, was arrested for allegedly appearing as a go-between for the ‘Ndrangheta mafia and its jailed gang members.
Police additionally arrested two politicians and seized greater than €1.8m (£1.5m) value of belongings in raids throughout a number of cities within the Lombardy and Veneto areas, in addition to Calabria within the south.
The arrests are a results of a four-year investigation into the ‘Ndrangheta, which is certainly one of Europe’s most influential and harmful felony organisations.
Statements launched by the coalition of legislation enforcement businesses behind the sting element allegations that the nun leveraged her place as a volunteer on the jail.
The Brescia Carabinieri mentioned she was an unsuspecting determine, whose spiritual function allowed her “free entry to the penitentiary services”.
Police statements didn’t determine the politicians or any others focused within the investigation.
The operation is constant, with tons of of cops conducting searches throughout northern Italy.
They are aided by sniffer canine models trying to find weapons and medicines, in addition to “money canines” that are skilled to seek for money, police mentioned.
Investigators allege the group primarily used scrap steel commerce companies as a entrance to launder cash, totalling roughly €12m in laundered money, prosecutors mentioned.
Originating within the impoverished area of Calabria, the ‘Ndrangheta is taken into account one of many world’s most harmful felony organisations.
In November final yr, greater than 200 individuals have been sentenced to a complete of greater than 2,200 years in jail in certainly one of Italy’s largest mafia trials for generations.
