16 Alleged Gambino Mafia Members Arrested in US and Italy

Sixteen alleged leaders and associates of the Gambino crime family have been arrested in the US and Italy, facing charges of racketeering, extortion, witness retaliation, conspiracy, and fraud. The arrests were made in New York and Palermo in Sicily, with one suspect still on the run. The US Department of Justice states that the syndicate engaged in intimidation, violent assaults, embezzlement, and fraud, targeting demolition companies and waste management businesses. The defendants are also accused of threatening witnesses, money laundering, and firearms offenses. Among those arrested are high-ranking members of the Gambino family, Sicilian mafia associates, and soldiers. The Gambino family is part of La Cosa Nostra, one of the five prominent mafia syndicates in New York. This recent operation marks a significant blow to the criminal organization, which has faced targeted investigations in both the US and Italy. If convicted, the defendants could be sentenced to between 20 and 180 years in prison. This news sheds light on the ongoing battle against organized crime and the impact it has on society.