Over 100 Sicilian mafia members arrested by Italian police

ROME — Around 130 people were arrested on Tuesday in a large-scale sting against the Sicilian Mafia in Palermo, indicating that it has remained a significant criminal force despite setbacks in recent decades.

“Cosa Nostra,” the mafia syndicate based in and around Palermo, terrorized Italy in the 1980s and 1990s, but has since been overtaken as Europe’s most powerful mob by the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta.

The suspects apprehended on Tuesday were charged with various crimes, including drug trafficking, attempted murder, extortion, illegal online gambling and illegal possession of firearms, Carabinieri police said in a statement.

Additional arrest warrants were issued for 33 suspects who were already in prison for other crimes.

Investigations revealed that Palermo’s mafia families coordinate their activities across the city and its province, like they used to in the golden days of Cosa Nostra, especially as regards drug trafficking, police said.