The ‘Ndrangheta: One of the Most Dangerous Mafia Organizations in the World
The ‘Ndrangheta is one of the most powerful and influential mafia organizations in the world, originating from Calabria, in the south of Italy. Originally active locally, this criminal organization now has a global influence. They have a strong grip on the European cocaine market and are closely linked to South American drug cartels. The rise of the ‘Ndrangheta in recent decades has given them a prominent place in the world of organized crime, compared to other Italian mafia organizations such as the Cosa Nostra and the Camorra .
1. The Structure of the ‘Ndrangheta
Unlike other Italian mafia organizations, which tend to be more centralized, the ‘Ndrangheta is a highly hierarchical but decentralized network. It is made up of numerous families, or ‘ndrine , who are closely linked by blood ties and marriages. This makes the organization difficult for the authorities to infiltrate. The top of the ‘Ndrangheta is led by a small group of influential families, who determine the organization’s policies.
The ‘Ndrangheta has a closed, secretive nature, which makes them particularly difficult to track and combat. The mafia code, known as omertà , dictates absolute silence about the internal workings of the organization. This code of silence, and their strong family ties, make it extremely difficult for the police and justice system to obtain reliable information from within.
2. Economic Power: The Dominance in the Drug Trade
The ‘Ndrangheta’s main source of income is the international drug trade, particularly cocaine. The organization controls a large part of the cocaine market in Europe and works with South American cartels to smuggle the drug from countries such as Colombia and Mexico into Europe. It is estimated that the ‘Ndrangheta earns billions of euros annually from its involvement in the drug trade.
Their ability to operate globally and their connections with foreign cartels make the ‘Ndrangheta one of the most financially stable criminal organizations. In addition to drugs, the organization is involved in other illegal activities, including arms trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and corruption. Their economic power extends far beyond Italy; they have investments in several legal sectors, including construction, real estate, and tourism, through which they launder their illegally acquired wealth.
3. International Spread and Influence
Over the years, the ‘Ndrangheta has expanded far beyond the borders of Calabria. Today, they are present in numerous countries, including Germany, Canada, the United States, Australia and several South American countries. This makes them not just a national problem for Italy, but a global threat.
Germany is one of the most important European countries where the ‘Ndrangheta has a strong foothold. The organization has made large investments in the legal economy and is involved in large-scale money laundering operations. A notorious incident was the Duisburg shooting in 2007, where six members of the ‘Ndrangheta were murdered, an event that made clear the extent of their influence in Germany.
4. Approach by the Authorities
The Italian government and international law enforcement agencies have made significant efforts to combat the ‘Ndrangheta, but the organization has proven extremely difficult to break. In recent years, however, there have been significant successes. Operations such as “Rinascita-Scott” in 2020 led to the arrest of hundreds of members and sympathizers of the organization. This was one of the largest anti-mafia operations in decades, targeting both criminals and their network of accomplices within the political and economic elite.
In 2024, a major breakthrough occurred with the arrest of Pasquale Bonavota , one of the top figures within the ‘Ndrangheta. He had been on the run since 2018, and his arrest is seen as a major blow to the organization. While these successes are important, the fight against the ‘Ndrangheta remains long and complex, given their deep roots in Italian society and their global influence.
5. The Dangers of the Future
Despite these arrests and operations, the ‘Ndrangheta remains a major threat. Their ability to operate in both the illicit and legal economy, combined with their strong international connections, makes them particularly difficult to combat. Their influence within corrupt political structures, particularly in Italy, often gives them access to protection and resources to continue their criminal activities.
Another growing threat is their involvement in cybercrime . In recent years, the ‘Ndrangheta has expanded its activities to digital crime and money laundering through cryptocurrencies, making detection and prosecution by authorities even more complex. This shift to the digital world shows that the organization is quickly adapting to new technologies to maintain its position of power.
Conclusion
The ‘Ndrangheta remains one of the most dangerous and resilient criminal organisations in the world. Their influence extends far beyond Italy and they have deep roots in the legal economy, making them particularly difficult to tackle. Although important steps have been taken by the justice and law enforcement in recent years, the fight against this mafia organisation is far from over. Their ability to adapt and innovate makes the ‘Ndrangheta a persistent and serious threat to global security and stability.
