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The "tribute" to La Rosa and the customers of the lido: the interests of the 'ndrangheta in the excursions on the Costa degli Dei
The business of crime in tourism and “boat trips”. The role of the Bonavitas of Briatico and the relationships with the Tropea gang
Published: 12/08/2024 – 18:33
VIBO VALENTIA Three euros per passenger, if you are a “friend” only one euro. A tax to be paid to the 'ndrina La Rosa di Tropea to “stop” in the port of the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The system is described by investigators in the Maestrale Carthago investigation, from which the interests of the 'ndrangheta in the tourist industry emerge. In addition to the indirect control of the villages, organised crime has also infiltrated the sector of scheduled excursions . After all, from the coast of Vibo Valentia, both from the port of Tropea and from that of Vibo Marina, ships depart for the Aeolian Islands, among the most popular summer destinations for tourists. An economic trip too “attractive” not to attract the attention of the 'ndrangheta.
The Bonavita gang behind the excursion company
Two gangs, a well-known beach club and a summer excursion company. They are the “protagonists” of the system behind a company, according to investigators, linked to the 'ndrina Bonavita of Briatico. The latter was seized last March together with the motorboat used for passenger transport. According to investigators, behind the company there would be Giuseppe Armando Bonavita known as “Armando” and Roberta Bonavita, both children of the deceased Pino Bonavita, believed to be at the top of the homonymous 'ndrina of Briatico. The gang would be closely linked and “dependent” on the Zungri club and, in particular, on Francesco Barbieri, presumed head of the 'ndrina of Cessaniti. Both of Pino Bonavita's children have been sent for trial in the trial underway in the bunker courtroom of Lamezia.
The links with the Zungri club and the La Rosa 'ndrina
The alleged front men, according to investigators, "constantly contacted them to receive instructions regarding the organization of work, management of employees and company accounting". The investigations revealed that the Bonavita brothers " effectively managed the company ", but "under the directives of the dominus Francesco Barbieri", indicated by investigators as the "pro tempore boss" of the Zungri premises. Bonavita then allegedly used his ties with the La Rosas to favor the company on two occasions: the mooring of the boat at the port of Tropea and the agreement with a tourist information company . The gang allegedly pressured the infopoint to favor the company, making the La Rosas intercede after the first "refusals".
The "tribute" to be paid to the gang and the business with the Briatico beach
"Don't worry, Antonio (La Rosa, ed.) has an appointment tomorrow evening, he also spoke about the port, don't worry... eee these are serious people, they're not stupid". Also regarding the mooring of the boat in the port of Tropea, the investigators reconstruct, it was necessary to first go to the La Rosas, paying them "a tribute" . "These - we read in the intercepted conversations - if they want a euro you have to give it to them, that's it! Like all the ships give it to them..." The investigators reconstruct the scheme: all the boats in the port had to pay 3 euros for each passenger , while their company "thanks to the membership of the two gangs to the 'ndrangheta of Vibo Valentia and the excellent friendship" would have had to pay only 1 euro. Even a well-known beach in Briatico would have been in "business" with the Bonavita gang, with an agreement to send tourists and passengers every day for excursions. The same "Armando", in a speech intercepted by the investigators, is said to have reassured Francesco Barbieri of the village in question that " it is already taking care of sending its clients to the boat to go on excursions and that this practice is already well established ". ( Ma.Ru. )
