Italy police arrest 16 people after crime wave in southern province

Italian law enforcement authorities in thecrime-infested southern province of Foggia on Tuesday claimed a majorvictory by arresting 16 suspected mobsters.In Italy, Foggia is notorious for its law and order problems. Onlylast 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 androbbery, the Foggia prosecutors' office said in a statement.Three different police forces - Carabinieri, Polizia di Stato andGuardia di Finanza - executed the arrests, a rare occurenceindicating a major effort by authorities.  "We don't want to give any respite to criminals," Interior Ministerand Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said in a statement, congratulatingpolice officers and prosecutors.Foggia is in Puglia, the region that forms the heel of Italy's boot.