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April 21st 2015 There are dozens of arrests carried out by the Carabinieri against alleged members of the Bari mafia clan 'Di Cosola'. The operation is defined by the military as a "mortal blow" to the clan whose seals are affixed.

The investigation would have reconstructed years of hegemony in vital sectors of the economy, first of all that of the building where the typically mafia-style imposition of the purchase of low-quality cement is recorded.

Among those arrested was a building contractor who was kidnapped from the company. The seized company is at the gates of Bari and the owner is among those arrested for mafia association.

Under the clan's control, the profitable slot machine and video poker market also ended up, according to the prosecution: 100 euros a month imposed on each machine which, multiplied by the numerous premises cut down, made thousands of euros a month for each municipality of the Bari province in which the clan ruled. Some of the women in the clan who were in charge of accounting were also arrested as part of the operation.

The treasury of the mafia holding company was also hit by the seizure of assets for millions of euros, including 23 buildings, 19 land, 80 current accounts, two safe deposit boxes, 15 vehicles and four companies.

In the background also the control of the drug market by the parallel association aimed at drug trafficking: 250 drug dealing episodes documented during the investigation.