Italian organized crime, commonly known as the Mafia, has seen a significant resurgence in attention in recent months, particularly regarding its historical roots and modern manifestations. The Sicilian Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, remains a major force, but investigations and prosecutions are increasingly highlighting the complex relationships between Sicilian groups and ‘Ndrangheta, the powerful Calabrian mafia considered Europe’s most influential and wealthy organized crime syndicate. The Camorra, based in Naples, is also becoming more intertwined with these groups.

The ongoing fallout from “Operation Pollino,” launched in December 2023, continues to result in arrests and asset seizures across Italy and in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This operation targeted a transnational network linking ‘Ndrangheta bosses in Calabria with affiliates in northern Italy and Europe, focusing on drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption. Authorities have uncovered the exploitation of legitimate businesses, including restaurants, construction companies, and luxury real estate, to conceal hundreds of millions of euros in illicit funds.

In Palermo, high-profile trials are revisiting cold cases from the 1980s Second Mafia War, driven by testimony from Mafia turncoats offering new insights into power dynamics and political complicity. The prosecution of decades-old crimes demonstrates a renewed effort to address the lasting impact of Mafia violence and maintain a historical record.

International collaboration, aided by Europol and Interpol, is tracking Mafia capital and personnel. There is growing concern that global inflation and the war in Ukraine are creating opportunities for Mafia infiltration into legal economies, with reports of increased extortion attempts targeting small and medium-sized businesses. Specialists note a shift in the traditional Mafia structure towards more fluid networks, making infiltration more challenging.

Despite diminished overt displays of power, the influence of these organizations remains a potent threat. Recent reports highlight Mafia influence in local government contracts and the agricultural sector, particularly in olive oil and wine production, where counterfeiting and pollution are damaging legitimate producers. The focus on asset seizure is critical, as depriving these organizations of their wealth is seen as the most effective long-term strategy. However, complex legal frameworks and cross-border transactions pose significant challenges for law enforcement.