Nun Among 24 Arrested in Italian Mafia Operation

Italian police have arrested 24 individuals, including a nun suspected of facilitating communication between the 'Ndrangheta mafia and imprisoned members, amid broader efforts to dismantle the notorious crime syndicate.

In a shocking turn of events, Italian authorities have reported the arrest of 24 individuals, including a nun, as part of an extensive investigation into the 'Ndrangheta mafia, a prominent and feared criminal organization. Sister Anna Donelli, named by Italian media, has been accused of acting as a liaison between the mafia and its incarcerated members.

The operation, which is the culmination of a four-year probe, has led police to also apprehend two politicians and confiscate assets valued at over €1.8 million. The coordinated raids spanned several towns across the Lombardy, Veneto, and southern Calabria regions. Law enforcement agencies involved have suggested that the nun utilized her role as a prison volunteer to gain unrestricted access to the penitentiary facilities, easing communication for the criminal network.

Reports indicate that the ongoing investigation is marked by intensive activities, with hundreds of officers conducting searches supported by trained sniffer dogs aimed at uncovering weapons, drugs, and cash. Prosecutors revealed that the group is believed to have laundered approximately €12 million through businesses operating under the guise of scrap metal trade.

The 'Ndrangheta, which originated in the economically deprived Calabria region, is recognized as one of the most influential crime syndicates worldwide. In a noteworthy development last November, over 200 individuals were sentenced collectively to more than 2,200 years in prison in what has been described as Italy's largest mafia trial in decades.