Mar 07 2007
Italian police arrest 21 suspected Mafia members in Sicily
Italian police arrested 21 people in Sicily in an anti-Mafia operation Tuesday, local media reported.
Anti-Mafia investigators said the suspected mafiosi had been arrested in Agrigento, Palermo, Favara and Canicatti’. Among the arrested was Cesare Lombardozzi, believed to be one of Agrigento’s main bosses.
The operation dealt a blow to Mafia clans operating out of Agrigento on the southwest coast of the island, according to the report.
Prosecutors said the suspects controlled local public works and land development contracts, including contracts for the construction of two important shopping centers.
They said the Agrigento clans had close ties to Cosa Nostra groups in Palermo.
The operation followed the December arrest of top local boss Maurizio Di Gati, who has been cooperating with the authorities.
Source: Xinhua 2007-03-07 People’s Daily Online — http://english.people.com.cn/
