https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...danne-alla-ndrangheta-destefanocentrica/the criminal network
Checkmate to the Reggio clans, the trials and convictions of the «destefanocentric» 'ndrangheta
The representatives of the most powerful clans, united by interests and money, were sentenced. "We don't wage wars anymore. There's too much money at stake"
Published: 07/09/2024 – 11:15
REGGIO CALABRIA A "consolidated and common active operational synergy" in a context in which the De Stefano, Tegano, Condello and Libri clans are defined as the "four families" among which the proceeds of extortion imposed on merchants and entrepreneurs in the historic center of Reggio Calabria are divided. Mafia association, extortion and damage are the main accusations brought by the Reggio Calabria Prosecutor's Office against the defendants, many of whom were convicted, during the "Epicentro" trial. The DDA's sights were set on members and associates of the most powerful clans of the Reggio Calabria 'ndrangheta. Three investigations have merged into a single proceeding: born from the " Malefix", "Metameria" and "Nuovo corso" investigations , the maxi-trial "Epicentro" is the continuation of the "Olimpia" and "Meta" trials. Ten convictions in the ordinary trial, five acquittals. In July, the sentence on appeal of the abbreviated trial arrived with 44 convictions and 11 acquittals.
Among the heaviest sentences were those of Carmine De Stefano (20 years), 12 years and eight months for his cousin Giorgio De Stefano , Luigi “Gino” Molinetti (18 years), Paolo De Stefano (9 years), Antonio Libri (18 years), Orazio De Stefano (15 years), Salvatore Giuseppe Molinetti (19 years) Carmine Polimeni (14 years), Donatello Canzonieri (21 years), Domenico Tegano (12 years and 8 months), Filippo Barreca (19 years and 6 months), Domenico Calabrò (18 years), Demetrio Condello (16 years), Giandomenico Condello (14 years and six months), considered the leading exponents of the homonymous mafia 'ndrine.
READ ALSO: “Epicentro”, 10 sentences handed down to members and followers of the Reggio Calabria 'ndrangheta – NAMES
The «destefanocentric» Reggio Calabria 'ndrangheta
The investigations revealed a «destefanocentric» 'ndrangheta. For the DDA, the Archi clan is «the most powerful and authoritative, the one in front of which everyone eventually takes a step back». A criminal hegemony, that of the “De Stefano” clan , around which the 'ndrine Tegano, Molinetti, Libri, Condello, Barreca, Rugolino, Ficara, Latella, Zito and Bertuca revolved . The relationships between the various 'ndrangheta articulations in Reggio Calabria were analyzed in detail in a memorandum filed by the Attorney General at the Court of Appeal of Reggio Calabria as part of the “Epicentro” trial. Over 900 pages that tell the story of the «community management» of criminal affairs, through «a constant dialogue of solidarity and a planned sharing of the 'ndrangheta project by the various Reggio articulations».
A sort of "reductio ad unum ", aimed at a "communal and profitable management of the various claims, headed by the De Stefano family, of recognized superiority in terms of criminal authority, prestige and capacity for dialogue and infiltration of large sectors of society, in the person of Carmine De Stefano ", writes the Reggio Calabria Prosecutor's Office, which outlines the figure of the boss belonging to the historic Archi family and underlines De Stefano's ability to "aggregate around himself the new recruits also coming from other families, including those once opposed in the bloody 'ndrangheta war".
The federation between 'ndrine. «We don't make wars anymore. There's too much money at stake»
The associative structure, the result of the federation between 'ndrine, is proven «by a series of unequivocal demonstrative elements recently acquired in the context of the investigations that have merged into the present proceeding». A proceeding that «has definitively confirmed – in the perspective of the now recognized unitary vocation of the 'ndrangheta – the existence of a federation between the historic mafia families of Reggio , operating in close operational connection with each other and, in any case, all subordinate to the catalyzing predominance of the Archi group, ultimately headed by the boss Carmine De Stefano». The De Stefanos, the Teganos, the Condellos and the Libris, the “four families” among whom the proceeds of the extortion imposed on merchants and entrepreneurs in the historic center of Reggio Calabria are divided. Various points are analyzed in the document, which would demonstrate a «consolidated and common active operational synergy» : the organization of “tables” between the representatives of the various clans; the existence of confidential discussions; the commonality of purpose among the various 'ndrine; the obvious expansion of territorial borders and the possibility for the branches operating in the neighboring neighborhoods to extend their territorial control into nearby areas. Mutual aid and reciprocal assistance among the various 'ndrine, «so that entrepreneurs from their respective territories paid the necessary 'ndrangheta contribution to the representatives of the neighborhoods in which, from time to time, they went to operate». The frequent organization of meetings among the heads of the various branches, «functional to agree on common operating methods and to implement mutual exchanges of information for the joint planning of extortion». «The extension of the 'ndrangheta influence of the Archi clans up to the territory of Villa San Giovanni, in agreement with the historic 'ndrine of the place». «The organization of collections in favor of prisoners of the various 'ndrine, in order to extend the duties of solidarity typical of mafia associations well beyond the narrow circle of associates of each clan». Reconstructions developed also thanks to the contribution of collaborators of justice, among them Maurizio De Carlo. « There is too much money at stake » , he told the magistrates: « Today, wars, doctor, are no longer waged because there is too much money at stake and therefore they prefer to sit down and divide ... ». (m.ripolo@corrierecal.it)
