MAFIA now 'ITALY's No.1 BANK ' with PROFIT of more than £100 BILLION a year ..

Intimidation and murder: Mariano Bacioterracino was shot dead in 2009, a classic Mafia-style public 'hit' intended to spread fear and keep control

Via Veneto: One of the most famous (and expensive) streets in Rome, its bars and restaurants have been targeted for money laundering and extortion

... THE MAIN PLAYERS

Sicilian Mafia: Also known as the Cosa Nostra, the 19th century criminal syndicate has been made famous by Hollywood - and its name is now a generic term for any organised criminal network with similar structure, methods, and interests.

Camorra: A secret society from the region of Campania, it is one of the oldest and largest criminal organisations in Italy. Unlike the Mafia's 'Godfather' pyramid structure, the Camorra clans act independently, making it more resilient when bosses are arrested or killed.

'Ndrangheta: This 19th century syndicate from the Calabria region is considered to be one of the most powerful criminal organisations in the world - with a remarkable ability to migrate to other countries, including Argentina, the Netherlands and Australia. 

Sacra Corona Unita: The youngest of the syndicates, set up in the 1970s, the SCU specialises in smuggling - from drugs and weapons to people. They charge other criminal organisations 'landing rights' to the Apulian coast in the south-east - a gateway to and from countries like Albania.

Mafia now 'Italy's No.1 bank' with profits of more than £100bn a year | click  for  more..