Mafia numbers in Switzerland higher than previously thought
The NZZ am Sonntag quoted Italian experts who claim there
are about 20 Mafia cells with 400 members in Switzerland. However, a Fedpol
spokesman told the news agency Keystone-SDA that the number could be even
higher, as “not everything” is seen.
Fedpol’s annual report for 2019 said the office had
knowledge of around 100 members in Switzerland, mostly of the Calabrian
‘Ndrangheta, but also of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Neapolitan Camorra.
This corresponds to what is concretely seen in investigations and analyses, the
Fedpol spokesman said.
The Mafiosi are mainly based in the border cantons of
Ticino, Graubünden and Valais as well as in urban centres and agglomerations,
according to Fedpol.
“They’ve been in Switzerland for years, don’t stand out, are
well integrated and have jobs,” the spokesman said.
According to the 2019 report, Fedpol imposed 11 entry bans
on Mafia members in 2019 and four the year before. Entry bans had also been
imposed in previous years.
Arrests
The report said Switzerland, located in the heart of Europe,
is often used as a retreat that can be entered and left equally quickly.
“Switzerland is a connection point for the clans in southern Italy and is
therefore an ideal logistical platform for Mafiosi,” it said.
On Tuesday the Italian and Swiss authorities arrested 75
people in a joint raid against the ’Ndrangheta. The 75 arrested are accused of
Mafia association, international drug trafficking, money laundering, false
registration of assets and corruption.
The joint action was linked to criminal proceedings being
conducted by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General involving six Italian
nationals, most of whom live in Switzerland.
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