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 property 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 one among Europe’s most influential and harmful felony organisations.
Statements launched by the coalition of regulation enforcement companies 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 lots of of cops conducting searches throughout northern Italy.
They’re aided by sniffer canine models looking for weapons and medicines, in addition to “money canine” that are skilled to seek for money, police mentioned.
Investigators allege the group primarily used scrap metallic 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 12 months, greater than 200 individuals have been sentenced to a complete of greater than 2,200 years in jail in one of Italy’s biggest mafia trials for generations.
