Nun Arrested Amid Major Mafia Investigation in Italy

The investigation, linked to money laundering and mafia activities, also implicated politicians and led to significant asset seizures across northern Italy.

In a startling development for law enforcement in Italy, a nun has been arrested as part of a comprehensive crackdown on the notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia, with Italian police detaining 24 individuals during recent raids. Sister Anna Donelli, identified by Italian media, is accused of facilitating communication between incarcerated mafia members and their affiliates outside of prison.

Authorities executed the arrests in several towns across the Lombardy and Veneto regions, as well as in Calabria, seizing assets valued at over €1.8 million (£1.5 million). This operation stems from a four-year investigation targeting the 'Ndrangheta, a feared criminal organization notorious for its influence and brutality within Europe.

The Brescia Carabinieri disclosed that Sister Donelli, leveraging her role as a volunteer at a penitentiary, reportedly had unrestricted access to the prison, allowing her to act as an inadvertent messenger for the mafia. However, police have not released the identities of other arrested politicians connected to this case.

The investigation remains active, with extensive searches carried out by hundreds of police officers. Utilizing sniffer dogs specializing in detecting drugs, weapons, and cash, law enforcement is thoroughly probing potential hiding spots for illicit activities.

Reports indicate that this criminal network is believed to have laundered around €12 million through legitimate-seeming scrap metal businesses. The 'Ndrangheta organization, which has roots in the economically depressed Calabria region, ranks among the most lethal criminal syndicates globally. Last November, a major trial resulted in over 200 convictions, collectively sentencing the defendants to over 2,200 years in prison, marking a significant strike against mafia operations in Italy.