The nun, known as Sister Anna Donelli in the Italian press, was taken into custody on suspicion of serving as a liaison between the ‘Ndrangheta mafia and its imprisoned gang members.
During raids in various towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, as well as Calabria in the south, police also detained two politicians and confiscated assets valued at over €1.8 million (£1.5 million).
The ‘Ndrangheta, one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organisations in Europe, was the subject of a four-year investigation that led to the arrests.
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Claims that the nun took advantage of her role as a prison volunteer are detailed in statements issued by the coalition of law enforcement agencies that carried out the sting.According to Brescia Carabinieri, she was an innocent person who had free access to the penitentiary facilities because of her religious role. The politicians and other people targeted in the investigation were not identified in police statements.Hundreds of police officers are still searching northern Italy as part of the ongoing operation. According to police, they receive assistance from sniffer dog units that look for drugs and weapons as well as cash dogs that are trained to look for cash.
The group allegedly laundered around €12 million in cash through scrap metal trade businesses, according to investigators and prosecutors. The ‘Ndrangheta, one of the most dangerous criminal organisations in the world, has its roots in the poor region of Calabria.
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In one of the largest mafia trials in Italy’s history, more than 200 individuals received sentences totalling more than 2,200 years in prison in November of last year.
FAQs
Why was the nun arrested in Italy?
Sister Anna Donelli was arrested for allegedly assisting the Ndrangheta mafia by acting as a liaison between jailed gang members during her prison volunteer work.
What did the investigation reveal about the Ndrangheta?
The investigation uncovered money laundering schemes using scrap metal businesses as fronts, totalling approximately €12 million, and resulted in numerous arrests and asset seizures.
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