Rome One of Italy’s biggest mafia trials ever in history kicked off in southern Italy on Wednesday. Hundreds of accused are accused of working for a heinous criminal enterprise with tentacles that have so far reached around the world. It apparently makes more money selling drugs than McDonald’s citizens sell.
If you have never been to the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate, which may have to do with how difficult the name is to pronounce. (Approximate: DRAHN-get-ah)
The ‘Ndrangheta is based in the southern region of Calabria – to’ show ‘the Italian’ boat ‘on a map – from where it coordinates a. global drug trafficking network which generates ten billion euros annually, mostly from cocaine.
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There are more than 350 suspects in this case, including politicians and other officials accused of being ‘Ndrangheta members. About 900 witnesses will testify against them, and about 400 lawyers are also involved in the massive trial, which was coronavirus pandemic.
The authorities had to build a high-capacity high-security court with room for 1,000 people – socially distanced – just for the trial. Many of the accused will appear out of jail via the video link thanks to COVID-19.
Italian officials take serious health and safety concerns. The last time it held a so-called ‘maxi-trial’ that was even comparable to this was in the 90s against the Cosa Nostra Mafia of Sicily.
Shortly afterwards, both the two chief justices were killed.