Reply #20: Italy impounds Mafia drug submarine

[Judi Lynn]

Italy impounds Mafia drug submarine
Mar 28, 2006, 17:27 GMT

ROME, Italy (UPI) -- The head of Italy`s anti-Mafia operations says a submarine a gangster group was building in Colombia to transport drugs has been impounded.

Speaking after returning from Colombia, Piero Grasso said the Calabrian Mafia had been dealing in such vast quantities of the drugs it could afford to build a submarine to transport it, reports ANSA news agency.

Grasso said the submarine would have helped the gang hide the consignment from coastal radar systems.

The Calabrian Mafia, also known as the 'Ndrangheta,' which specializes in drug smuggling from South America, is now believed to be more powerful and more dangerous than Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia, the report said. The mob is estimated to generate an annual turnover of about $42 billion.
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http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/article_1150638.php/Italy_impounds_Mafia_drug_submarine

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Mafia drugs submarine seized
Calabrian mob ordered vessel to shift Colombian cocaine
(ANSA) - Rome, March 27 - Mafia drug traffickers were building a submarine to bring cocaine from Colombia to Italy, Italy's anti-Mafia chief said Monday .

Speaking after on his return from the South American country, national anti-Mafia prosecutor Piero Grasso said the Calabrian mafia, known as the 'Nrangheta, was dealing in such huge amounts of drugs that it could afford to have such an expensive mode of transport built .

He said they had chosen a submarine in order to beat coastal radar systems which detect incoming ships. "The 'Ndrangheta brings in 400 kilos of cocaine a year," Grasso said in an interview on Italian TV .

"The submarine, which was under construction in Colombia, has been impounded" .

"They were going to use the sub to elude radar controls" .

Grasso said cocaine costs just 3 dollars a gramme in Colombia and had a street value of 50-100 euros per gramme in Italy, depending on the quality .
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Since 1995, 30 town councils have been dissolved because they were deemed to be controlled by the 'Ndrangheta. Last year, dozens of local administrators received threats .
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http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2006-03-27_1273959.html