Italian law enforcement authorities in the
crime-infested southern province of Foggia on Tuesday claimed a major
victory by arresting 16 suspected mobsters.
In Italy, Foggia is notorious for its law and order problems. Only
last week, there were three bomb attacks against local businesses,
presumably to scare them into paying protection money.
Those arrested on Tuesday face charges including attempted murder,
illegal possession of firearms, attempted extortion, arson and
robbery, the Foggia prosecutors' office said in a statement.
Three different police forces - Carabinieri, Polizia di Stato and
Guardia di Finanza - executed the arrests, a rare occurence
indicating a major effort by authorities.
"We don't want to give any respite to criminals," Interior Minister
and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said in a statement, congratulating
police officers and prosecutors.
Foggia is in Puglia, the region that forms the heel of Italy's boot.
Law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza's police at Foggia.
