The ‘Ndrangheta, rooted in Italy’s Calabria region, has long been recognized as one of the world’s most powerful criminal syndicates. Specializing in cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and international corruption, the organization expanded its reach far beyond Italy, infiltrating global financial and commercial systems.
An international police coalition led by INTERPOL has been targeting this organization under the I-CAN (Interpol Cooperation Against ‘Ndrangheta) project since 2020. Recent coordinated operations in Germany and Italy marked significant victories. German authorities raided multiple properties, uncovering a trove of data, cash, luxury items, and vehicles. Meanwhile, Italian forces arrested two high-profile suspects and froze assets, disrupting major revenue streams.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock lauded the operation, emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation. “Even the most elusive mafias cannot escape when law enforcement unites,” he stated. Brigadier General Giampiero Ianni from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza echoed this sentiment, highlighting how international partnerships have enabled authorities to map the global network of the ‘Ndrangheta, leading to over 100 arrests to date.
