On November 12, 2024, the Italian Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza) conducted eight arrests across the provinces of Lodi, Verona, and Crotone as part of an investigation into ‘Ndrangheta mafia infiltration in national railway construction projects. The operation, led by the Provincial Commands of Lodi and Verona and supported by the Gico unit in Catanzaro, followed a preventive detention order issued by the Milan Court upon request from the Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Milan Prosecutor’s Office. This action builds upon a prior investigation initiated by the Varese Guardia di Finanza with the support of Milan’s Gico unit, targeting ‘Ndrangheta infiltration in railway construction sites.
The arrests included two individuals placed in preventive detention, while six others were confined to house arrest. All detainees face charges of involvement in a criminal organization with links to the ‘Ndrangheta, with some accused of facilitating the mafia organization linked to the Arena-Nicoscia clan. Additionally, the Finance Police seized assets worth nearly €2.5 million, including bank accounts, company shares, real estate, and vehicles. These assets represent profits from fraudulent bankruptcy activities.
Investigations revealed a network of commercial activities orchestrated by a Calabrian family that had settled for years in the Lodi and Verona provinces. This network operated through a series of companies, some already subject to anti-mafia sanctions, and engaged in issuing invoices for non-existent transactions benefiting companies involved in public contracts for the maintenance of railway and metro lines. Moreover, the association’s companies deployed workers at railway sites, circumventing public procurement regulations and masking activities with false invoicing.
One of the companies linked to the criminal group drew particular scrutiny from investigators, who uncovered diversionary practices leading to the company’s bankruptcy. Additional infractions were identified, including tax evasion and money laundering of illicit proceeds through a network of businesses registered to front individuals, aimed at evading anti-mafia preventive measures. Notably, illegal practices included the misappropriation of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), amounting to nearly €1 million, which were diverted to cover tax and social security debts.
