Current:Home > StocksPolice seize cache of drugs branded with photos of Mafia leaders — including "Cosa Nostra" fugitive who was recently arrested -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Police seize cache of drugs branded with photos of Mafia leaders — including "Cosa Nostra" fugitive who was recently arrested
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 17:23:16
Police in Italy said Tuesday that officers found a large cache of drugs in packaging decorated with images of notorious Mafia leaders — including the "Cosa Nostra" boss who was recently arrested after 30 years on the run. A 28-year-old man was arrested nearby after officers said they found 50 grams of pure cocaine in his pocket.
Officers seized pure cocaine, hashish and marijuana worth about $215,000 from a warehouse in Marsala, Sicily, Carabinieri police said in a news release on Tuesday. A vacuum packing machine, two electronic scales and materials used for cutting the drugs were also found, police said.
The drugs were allegedly wrapped in cellophane and branded with the faces of Matteo Messina Denaro and Salvatore "Toto" Riina. At least one of the drug packages was decorated with a photo of Al Pacino's character from "The Godfather," according to images released by police.
Riina was the Sicilian Mafia's "boss of bosses" who died in 2017. He had been serving multiple life sentences as the mastermind of a strategy to assassinate Italian prosecutors and police officers who tried to dismantle the "Cosa Nostra" Sicilian crime syndicate depicted in "The Godfather."
Messina Denaro was Italy's most-wanted fugitive until he was arrested in January. His arrest marked the end of an era for the Cosa Nostra.
Messina Denaro had been sentenced in absentia to life in prison for the 1992 murders of anti-mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, whose murders shocked the nation and led to stricter anti-mafia legislation. He was also convicted of dozens of other murders, including that of the young son of a turncoat; the 12-year-old boy was held prisoner for two years before he was strangled and his body dissolved in acid.
Tuesday's police raid took place in Trapani, where Messina Denaro allegedly spent most of his time on the run, Reuters reported.
- In:
- Italy
- Cocaine
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (75)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Showbiz Grand Slam
- Independent candidate who tried to recall Burgum makes ballot for North Dakota governor
- Minnesota prepares for influx of patients from Iowa as abortion ban takes effect
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Details the Bad Habit Her and Patrick Mahomes’ Son Bronze Developed
- Olympic Games use this Taylor Swift 'Reputation' song in prime-time ad
- Former NRA chief says appointing a financial monitor would be ‘putting a knife’ into the gun group
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Olympic Games use this Taylor Swift 'Reputation' song in prime-time ad
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- In New York, a ballot referendum meant to protect abortion may not use the word ‘abortion’
- Houston Texans lineman Denico Autry suspended six games for violating NFL's PED policy
- Chase Budinger, Miles Evans inspired by US support group in beach volleyball win
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Olympic qualifying wasn’t the first time Simone Biles tweaked an injury. That’s simply gymnastics
- Police announce second death in mass shooting at upstate New York park
- Khloe Kardashian Shares Glimpse Inside Son Tatum’s Dinosaur-Themed 2nd Birthday Party
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Independent candidate who tried to recall Burgum makes ballot for North Dakota governor
Josh Hartnett Shares Stalking Incidents Drove Him to Leave Hollywood
Why Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's Hearing to Drop Pitt From Her Last Name Got Postponed
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Khloe Kardashian Shares Glimpse Inside Son Tatum’s Dinosaur-Themed 2nd Birthday Party
Phoenix warehouse crews locate body of missing man 3 days after roof collapse
Hawaii man killed self after police took DNA sample in Virginia woman’s 1991 killing, lawyers say