Ndrangheta: Over 200 Gang Members Sentenced to Total of 2,200 Years in Jail After One of Italy's Biggest Ever Mafia Trials

More than 300 defendants have been on trial since January 2021, accused of being members of the powerful crime group, 'Ndrangheta.

Founded in the 18th century in Calabria, it has grown to become one of the world's most powerful, extensive and richest criminal organisations.

'Ndrangheta is the only mafia to be active in every continent, is said to control 80% of Europe's cocaine trade, and has an estimated annual turnover of £52bn.

The three-year trial involved mafiosi, entrepreneurs and politicians, and included charges of murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion.

Since retiring on 16 October to consider their verdicts, the three judges overseeing the case had to live in a safe house under police protection.

Some 67 defendants who were part of the original indictment have already been found guilty, after opting for a speedy trial.

More than 80 defendants were found not guilty, according to a list of verdicts on the Corriere Della Calabria news site.

Special forces and elite units hit the 'Ndrangheta in December 2019, with around 3,000 officers raiding 12 Italian regions and also making arrests in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

Millions of euros worth of properties and cash were seized, while 300 suspects were detained. 

The 2019 operation was named Rinascita-Scott, referring to the rebirth of the region - 'rinascita' in Italian - and to US special agent Scott W Sieben, who helped Italian police discover links between Colombia's cartels and the 'Ndrangheta.

The chief prosecutor who led the huge investigation was Nicola Gratteri, who organised the building of a bunker courtroom to hold the trial.

Source: Sky News