A Palermo-based mafia family running a complex money laundering scheme worth over €500 million has been exposed, according to a statement from Eurojust, the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit.
The family reinvested the ill-gotten gains from its criminal pursuits in several companies in Brazil. Thanks to the joint efforts of Italian, Brazilian, and Swiss judicial authorities, a gang member was arrested and financial assets worth €50 million seized during raids in these three countries.
Various criminal activities, including extortion, money laundering and fraudulent transfer of valuable items were undertaken by the gang. The profits were invested in businesses in Italy, including a well-known hotel.
In 2016, the suspects moved their operations to Brazil. A leading gang member established various companies in Natal, most of which were involved in large real estate and construction projects. The family’s total assets are estimated to be over €500 million.
Investigations into the case by Italian and Brazilian authorities have been underway since 2022, revealing the gang’s operations in Switzerland.
A coordinated operation took place in Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil on 13 August.
In Italy, 21 searches were conducted at the homes of alleged gang members and at their companies.
One suspect was arrested in Brazil, and financial assets valued at €50m belonging to 17 individuals - all under investigation - and 12 active companies in the property, construction, and hotel sectors were seized.
In Switzerland, the house of an Italian businessman was searched.
