Italian police announced on Monday (August 4) that in a nationwide crackdown targeting Chinese mafia forces, a total of 13 people were arrested on charges including drug trafficking, sex trade, and aggravated robbery.
“Aggravated robbery” is a common term for “aggravated theft”, referring to specific malicious circumstances during a theft, such as breaking into homes at night or using violence during the robbery, resulting in heavier penalties according to the law.
According to Reuters, the official in charge of combating organized crime, Andrea Olivadese, stated that this raid operation spanned across 25 provinces, including Milan, Rome, Florence, Prato, and Catania.
Additionally, 31 individuals have been reported to judicial authorities for investigation, and around 550 grams (1.2 pounds) of “shabu” (methamphetamine), equivalent to 5,500 doses, were seized, along with inspections conducted on hundreds of shops and vehicles.
The police stated that the criminal activities of these gangs often target Chinese victims, much like traditional mafia organizations, relying on intimidation and violence to achieve their objectives, aiming to control their territories. They also hold deep-rooted notions of “retribution” and conflicts could escalate into familial-style vendettas.
In April of this year, a high-ranking member of the Chinese mafia and his associates were gunned down in Rome, with authorities suspecting a link to territorial disputes among Chinese gangs in Italy.
Authorities pointed out that these Chinese gangs utilize the informal money transfer system known as “Hawala” for fund transfers, maintaining “close connections” with other criminal organizations within Italy to negotiate interests and territorial influence.
Allegedly, many members of these gangs originate from the same region in China and have a significant presence in Chinese communities in Italy, such as Tuscany.
Prato, a city located in Tuscany, is renowned for its textile industry and a large Chinese community, where exploitation of illegal labor has been a long-standing issue, primarily affecting undocumented immigrants.
This arrest operation follows previous investigative actions. Italian authorities conducted investigations into Chinese workshops within the supply chains of several luxury brands, related to labor exploitation issues. The brands involved include Valentino, Giorgio Armani, and Loro Piana.