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Law Enforcement Bulletin 104362-104363 U.S. Department dt Justice Nationallnslllute of Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stat?d in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice.

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Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permis­ sion of the c~ht owner. February 19B7, Volume 56, Number 2

1 'The Sicilian Mafia and Its Impact on the United States Lay Sean M. McWeeney (" 0 cf 3b ~

11 A Tradition of Excellence: The Southern Police Institute By Norman E. Pomrenke and B. Edward Campbell

[P@OiJil~ @1I WO@W 15 UMen and Women Who Wear the Badge •.. That Others May Find Their Way" By Hon. Peter T. Fay

[P[)'@@@ OO@O@~O@OU@ 18 An Automated News Media System By Roger Dickson

11®®@O @U®@@~ 22\lntrusive Body Searches: f,. Question of Reasonableness ~BY Kimberly A. Kingston, J.D. ((? 4-:3 63

31 Wanted by the FBI m] Law Enforcement Bulletin

United States Department of Justice Published by the Office of The Cover: Federal Bureau of Investigation Congressional and Public Affairs, A media computer network system facilitates William M. Baker, Assistant Director the Interaction between a law enforcement agency Washington, DC 20535 and the local media by offering more-comprehen­ sive news coverage. See article p. 18. William H. Webster, Director Editor-Thomas J. Deakin Asslsiant Editor-Kathryh E. Sulewski Art Director-Kevin J. Mulholland The F;BI Law Enforcement Bulletin The Attorn"y General has determined that the Production Manager-Mark A. Zettler publication of this periodical Is necessary In the (ISSN·P014·5688) 15 published monthly by the transaction of the public business required by Reprints-Beth Corbin Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10th and Penn· law of the Department of Justice. Use of funds sylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC ;10535. for printing thiS periodical has been approved Second·class postage paid at Washington, DC. by the Director of the Office of Management Postmaster: Send address changes to Federal and Budget through June 6, 1988. Bureall of Investigation, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Washington, DC 20535.

ISSN 0014-5688 USPS 383-310 The Sicilian Mafia and Its Impact on the United States

By SEAN M. McWEENEY Inspector in Charge Office of liaison and International Affairs Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC

The Sicilian Mafia has, through Spanish kings ruled Naples and Si­ Many say the "father" of the Si­ corruption, guile, assassination, extor­ cily from 1504 to 1707 and from 1738 to cilian Mafia is Giuseppe Mazzini, a tion, terror, and manipulation, fostered 1860. During the first Spanish reign, the Camorra associate who came into a climate where they have established criminal organization we now know as power in 1860 when groups of Sicilians themselves as the premier criminal the "Camorra" was founded in Naples. he formed overthrew Bourbon invaders group in Italy, with tentacles principally This initial organization was a mix of in­ in Palermo. Mazzlni, a scholar and ad­ in Western Europe and North America vading Spaniards and Neapolitans, and venturer, founded the "Young Italy So­ and South America. it was based on rules and codes of an ciety" in 1831, after being released Research for this article was con­ earlier Spanish criminal society called from prison where he was sent by the ducted to determine the extent of the the "Garduna."l During the second French for revolutionary activity.2 The Sicilian Mafia's influence and presence Spanish invasion, the "Sicilian Mafia" articles of organization for the Young in the United States, their criminal ac­ was formed from leaders connected to Italy Society were drawn from tenets of tivities with special emphasis on heroin the Camorra, which was the most pow­ the Camorra and later became the trafficking, the degree and nature of as­ erful criminal organization in Italy for basis of the Sicilian Mafia organization. sociation with the American LCN and most of the 18th and 19th centuries. The word "Mafia" appeared for the first other criminal organizations, partic­ The Garduna, Camorra, and Si­ time in public print in November 1860, ularly the Italian Camorra and N'Oran­ cillan Mafia all had common features, where it was conceded publicly that a gheta groups, and the overall impact i.e., each existed to sell criminal serv­ Camorra system had been transplanted they are having in the United States. ices, whether to individuals or busi­ to Palermo and the Sicilian countryside. The article traces the Sicilian Mafia's nesses or the lawful government itself. By the 1870's, the original Sicilian development and growth here in the All three had a formal organizational Mafia, called the "Palermo Mafia," was United States and how American and structure, with each group improving on a mixture of idealists, revolutionaries, Italian law enforcement has reacted to the other. The Camorra organized its hill bandits, and groups called "Iati­ it. members into what they called "bri­ funda guards" (armed men who pro­ gades" (brigata), while the Sicilian tected large estates owned by absen­ HISTORY OF THE SICILIAN MAFIA Mafia organized its rank and file into tee landlords). From the protection of Early Years - Sicily "families" (famiglias). All three had private property for a fee, the Sicilian The Sicilian Mafia's main influence strict rituals (the kiss on the cheek to a "Mafiosi," by taking advantage of a is In the region of Italy known as the prospective assassination victim; the growing popular fear, extended his "mezzogiorno" (The Southern Region), pricking or lancing of one's finger to "government" (the Sicilian Mafia) to at­ an area which is also "home turf" to draw blood to indicate undying loyalty tacking the state Itsalf.3 With this grow­ Italy's two other major organized crime to the "family"). And each organization ing power, the Sicilian Mafia rapidly groups - the Camorre and the N'Oran­ had a strict code of silence, or as it is spread outward from Palermo into the gheta. known today, "omerta." smail towns and villages that dot Sicily.

------______February 1987/1 A prestigious Mafiosi, Giuseppe This American-run Mafia, with Si­ Esposito, from Palermo was the first cilian imports, stamped its indelible known Sicilian Mafia member to emi­ mark on American society on October grate to the United States. In November 15, 1890, when Macheca's New Or­ 1878, Esposito and six other Sicilians leans "family" murdered David Hen­ arrived by boat in New York City from nessey who, after Esposito's arrest, Palermo via Marseilles, France, after had risen to chief of police for New Or­ being forced to flee Sicily for the murder leans. Ten men were charged with of 11 wealthy landowners and the chan­ Hennessey's murder, and after a cellor and vice-chancellor of a Sicilian lengthy trial, all were acquitted. The ac­ province.4 quittals created a sensation, and an an­ Special Agent McWeeney gry crowd immediately attacked Parish Early Years - America Prison, the New Orleans "Bastille," The New York City that Giuseppe where 19 Sicilians were housed. The Esposito and his six-man crew found New Orleans mob roared through the was hostile to non-English speakers, prison and the eventual carnage re­ very cold as the winter season was set­ sulted in what has been called the ting in, and politically and criminally largest lynching in American history. dominated by the Irish and Jews. Es­ Sixteen were killed, some shot, some posito, seeking a warmer climate and clubbed to death, and others hanged sensing the hostile environment in New from lampposts.5 York, almost immediately moved from Although New Orleans Mafia New York to New Orleans, a city with a origins are well-documented in Ameri­ large Sicilian community. . can annals and can be traced directly to In New Orleans, Esposito ran the Sicilian Mafia links in Sicily, it was not growing Sicilian Mafia clan there until the only American city that had Sicilian his arrest in 1881 by a famous New Or­ Mafia societies in the late 1800's. Si­ leans pOlice official, David Hermessey. cilian Mafia families were organized as Hennessey arrested Esposi\') on an early as 1890 in San Francisco, St. outstanding Italian fugitive warrant and Louis, Chicago, New York, and proba­ sent him to New York, where he was bly Boston. eventually extradited to Italy. Esposito was replaced as "boss" 1920's-1930's - Sicily and America by the first recognized American-born After Benito Mussolini took over leader of a Mafia group, Joseph Ma­ the Italian Government in the early checa, born in New Orleans of Sicilian 1920's and ushered in the Fascist parents. Macheca and his chief associ­ Period, the famous Mori Operation ate, Charles Matranga, reinforced the started. Cesare Mori, a retired, sup­ New Orleans organization with nu­ posedly incorruptible crime fighter, was merous recruits from Sicily, a recruit­ designated Prefect (chief of police) of ment feature we have seen repeated Palermo by Mussolin[ and ordered to over and over again through the years destroy the Sicilian Mafia. Mori, known by the American LCN. as the "Iron Prefect," arrested thou­ sands of suspected Sicilian Mafia mem­ bers and their associates, shipped many of the suspected Mafiosi to penal islands, and had numerous others ex­ ecuted, Often, Prefect Mori had entire

2 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______ORIGINS of SICILIAN MAFIA GROUPS

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______February1987 13 u ••• Italian and American law enforcement investigators estimate that as much as 70 percent of the heroin entering the United States comes by individual Sicilian Mafia members or assOCIB. t es •... "

towns depopulated as he carried out his when Masseria was gunned down in a by French-Corsicans teamed with Si­ purge of the Sicilian Mafia.6 Coney Island restaurant, having been cilian Mafia and American La Cosa Although Mussolini announced to lured there by Lucky Luciano and Vito Nostra members and associates. Diplo­ the world in 1927 that the Mori Opera­ Genovese, who had secretly struck a matic initiatives between the United tion was a success and that the Sicilian deal with Maranzano. States, France, and Turkey and inves­ Mafia had been eliminated, he was Two weeks later, Maranzano con­ tigative breakthroughs by the Drug En­ wrong. In fact, the strong roots of the Si­ vened a meeting in the Bronx of all forcement Administration (DEA) and cilian Mafia remained, The high-ranking Mafia members. This became the first the French and Italian police forces Mafiosi either joined the "enemy" (the official meeting of the American La blunted the French Connection by the Fascist Party), or as we know now, emi­ Cos a Nostra. Joe Valachi, who was a early 1970's. Later, French-Corsicans grated to the United States and formed Government witness, attended this and Sicilian Mafia traffickers attempted the base of the American LCN. Some of meeting and told investigators that Mar­ to reestablish the Marseilles region lab­ the more notorious individuals that ar­ anzano set forth for all present the offi­ oratories, but immediate police action rived in the United States at this time cial code or principles of Cosa Nostra stopped the effort. Today, DEA does were Carlos Gambino, Stefano Mag­ (Our Thing). At the meeting, according not consider France to be a major pro­ gadino, Joe Profaci, Joe Magliocco, to Valachi, Maranzano divided Cos a ducer of heroin sold on the American Mike Coppola, and Salvatore Mar­ Nostra into new families, with New York market. anzano. They joined earlier Sicilian ar­ having five separate LCN families. Mar­ rivals, such as Joe Bonanno (1915) and anzano rewarded Luciano and Gen­ "Sicilian Connection" - Italy Lucky Luciano (1907). ovese (a non-Sicilian from Naples) for DEA reports indicate that Italy re­ When the likes of Gambino and the Masseria treachery by making Lu­ sumed its role as a major producer of others arrived in New York, they were ciano a family boss and Genovese his heroin in the mid-1970's, which time­ immediately accepted in the then active "Soto Capo" (underboss). Luciano and frame lines up with the breakdown of Sicilian Mafia organization in New York Genovese repaid Maran:zano's kind­ the French Connection. Heroin labora­ called "Unione Siclione," Eventually, ness by arranging to have Maranzano tory facilities were set up mainly in Si­ Gambino, Bonanno, and Profaci sur­ killed in September 1931, in protest to cily, with a very small number of other faced as highranking members of New Maranzano's plan that he be made laboratories located in Northern Italy York Mafia families. "Capo di tutti Capi," boss of all bosses (Milan region) to take advantage of the Salvatore Maranzano, when he in America. French chemists needed to process the came to New York from Sicily in 1927, During the rest of the 1930's, Lu­ morphine base and other chemicals announced that he was a direct repre­ ciano and the other Cosa Nostra into the finished product. During this sentative of the boss of the Palermo Si­ bosses solidified their bases of opera­ period, the ever-important morphine cilian Mafia, and one of his goals was to tion and expanded to a nationwide or­ base reached the Sicilian Mafia traf­ organize the American crime families, ganization, which today is active in 25 fickers from sources in the Eastern including the Irish and Jewish gangs, American cities, with an estimated Mediterranean countries of Syria, under one leadership, Maranzano, by membership of 2,000 members. Lebanon, and Jordan. Current intel­ 1928, had everyone in line with his idea ligence, as of May 1985, indicates the SICILIAN MAFIA - MODERN ERA except Joe Masseria, who led a group Sicilian Mafia is now using Lebanon of men that had all, with a few excep­ The "French Connection" and Pakistan as sources for morphine tions, been in America since childhood, During the 1960's and early base. The resulting 3-year conflict, called the 1970's, France became known as the Because of increased Italian police Castellammarese War, pitted the Si· source for approximately 80 percent of enforcement activity from i 980-1985, cilian Mafia-dominated faction lead by the heroin available on the streets of Sicilian Mafia-controlled heroin labora­ Maranzano against the American the United States. Marseilles was the tory production activity had diminished Mafia-dominated faction led by Mas­ center of clandestine heroin laborato­ seria. On April 15, 1931, the war ended ries, with the morphine base imported primarily from Turkey. The finished her­ oin was then smuggled into the United States (the famous French Connection)

4 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______considerably. However, the Sicilian Sicilian Connection - United States Sicily, which lasted from approximately Connection, the trafficking of processed The Federal Bureau of Investiga­ 1958 to the early 1970's. Many Sicilian heroin to European and North Ameri­ tion (FBI), DEA, and Immigration and Mafia members and associates during can markets, solidified during this time­ Naturalization Service (INS) investiga­ this period fled Sicily for other countries frame. In 1984, Southwest Asian tors, along with their Italian counterl to avoid arrest by the pOlice on murder (SWA) heroin, primarily heroin refined parts, have confirmed that between the and bombing charges. This conflict along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, mid-1960's and the early 1970's, the flared up again in 1980 and ended accounted for 51 percent of the total United States, Canada, and parts of about 3 years later, with some Sicilian U.S. supply. Seventeen percent of the South America were "flooded" with Si­ Mafiosi fleeing the battle scene for the U.S. heroin supply came from South­ cilians departing Italy. The Sicilians en­ United States and other locations. east Asia (SEA) (Hong Kong, Burma, tering the United States were either Knowledgeable Italian organized crime Thailand); the remaining U.S. heroin smuggled through Canada or Mexico or police officials have told the FBI and supply, approximately 32 percent, legally issued visas and/or citizenship. DEA that as of today, the conflict came from Mexico.? Most of those entering the United (sometimes referred to as the Great Si­ The Sicilian Mafia controls the States illegally were fugitives from Italy cilian War) is over. transshipment through Italy to the on charges ranging from murder to nar­ The Sicilians who came to the United States of both SWA- and SEA­ cotics trafficking. United States during the mid-1960's­ processed heroin. The proportion of There are two main reasons why early 1970's became involved in cash SWA heroin to SEA heroin entering the Sicilians left Italy at this time. First, flow businesses, though the great ma­ Italy, according to DEA, is 70 percent to during the late 1950's and into the jority worked in pizzerias controlled 30 percent, with recent indicators show­ mid-1960's, the Italian Government im­ either by the American LCN or earlier ing SWA heroin on the decrease, pri­ plemented a system of internal ,exile for Sicilian Mafia arrivals in the United marily because of the Afghanistan/So­ suspected Mafia members similar to States. The Pennsylvania Crime Com­ viet war. the "Mori Operation," only without the mission did an exhaustive study of the Smuggling of the processed heroin killings. This effort, called "Soggiorno cheese and pizza industry and con­ into the United States via the Sicilian Obligato," resulted in approximately cluded in 1980 that much of the industry was controlled by "organized crime" Connection runs the gamut and is lim­ 500 suspected Sicilian Mafiosi being re­ (American LCN and Sicilian Mafia ited only by the bounds of one's imag­ located from Sicily to various Italian members are mentioned in the report.)8 ination. Surprisingly, Italian and Ameri­ towns and cities. However, "Soggiorno The entanglement of the Sicilian can law enforcement investigators Obligato" only served to spread the ten­ Mafia in the heroin and the cheese in­ estimate that as much as 70 percent of tacles of the Sicilian Mafia power base dustry is shown best by the following: the heroin entering the United States throughout all of Italy and heightened comes by individual Sicilian Mafia their aspirations. Many of these trans­ Felipe Casamento, owner of members or associates traveling by air, planted Sicilian Mafiosi, barred from Eagle Cheese, was arrested, tried, wearing bodypacks of 2- to 3-kilo quan­ effectively operating in Sicily, emigrated and convicted in 1973 in New York for heroin smuggling. Ten years tities. Other known smuggling methods to the United States, Canada, and later, he becomes involved in a include heroin secreted in toys, statues, South America. wheels of provolone cheese, film canis­ major heroin smuggling conspiracy While the "Great Exile" of Sicilian ters, coffee machines, wooden pallets, with Sicilian Mafia members. Ferro Mafiosi was taking place, a ferocious shipped vehicles, furniture, dry-cell bat­ Cheese Company in Brooklyn, war broke out throughout Sicily be­ teries, cans of baby powder, transistor controlled by Paoli Gambino, Sicilian tween the majority of families of the Si­ radios/televisions, shoes, mail, food born and a brother of Boss Carlos cilian Mafia. Numerous Mafioso mem­ products, and clothing. Once the heroin Gambino, and a Michael Piancone's bers and associates were killed or reaches the United States, with New Pizza Place, located in New Jersey, maimed. The Italian police forces im­ York City being the center of activity, are cited as bases of operations mediately cracked down on the warring the Sicilian Connection's American­ for the Casamento heroin operation. factions, and the Mafia just as swiftly re­ based operation, in place we now know taliated by killing police officers and since the mid-1960's, goes into action. blowing up public buildings. The result was a tremendous turmoil throughout

______February 19B7 I 5 • ..

u ••• during part of 1982 and 1983, one of the group's operations out of Sicily had scheduled 1% tons of heroin for importation to New York City, which had a wholesale value of over $333 million."

Michael Piancone was convicted The investigation led to the indictment Several of the other subjects in­ in 1973 for arranging a marriage of in New York in 1984 of 35 alleged mem­ dicted in the Pizza Connection case convenience to keep an illegal Si­ bers of the Sicilian Mafia. were from unlikely locations such as cilian alien in the United States. Ben­ The investigation showed that the Temperance, MI, and Milton, WI. Pietro edetto Buscetta, Eagle Cheese Sicilian Mafia group was importing Alfano traveled to Naples, FL, on the employee, and his father, Tomasso, massive amounts of heroin into the orders of Badalamenti, and to this date, were arrested in New York on heroin United States. For example, during part investigators are not positive who he smuggling charges in 1970. Frank of 1982 and 1983, one of the group's saw there, if anyone. The majority of Casamento, Eagle Cheese vice­ operations out of Sicily had scheduled people who assisted Alfano in this president, is known to the the owner 1 '/2 tons of heroin for importation to New phase of the operation were related to of the Casamento Salumeria (Cafe­ York City, which had a wholesale value him by either blood or marriage. Each Deli) in Brooklyn, which is fre­ of over $333 million. Between 1980 and had distinct roles; some delivered pack­ quented today by a group of Sicilian 1983, the New York Sicilian Mafia ages, some simply stored the heroin for Mafia members and associates, group was proven to have shipped over short periods, others collected money known as "The Knickerbocker Ave­ $40 million in c,lsh from New York to Si­ and brought it back to Alfano, who nue Crew."9 cily via Switzerland. would then transfer the money to The "Knickerbocker Avenue Crew" The scope 01 the operation was lit­ Badalamenti in Brazil. was the focal point of what former At­ erally worldwide. Members of the orga­ One member of the Sicilian Mafia torney General William French Smith, nization operated from Brazil, Spain, organization indicted in New York, Sal­ in 1984, called one of the most impor­ Switzerland, Sicily, Canada, and vatore Salamone, had the job of chang­ throughout the United States. Gaetano tant investigations ever conducted by ing small denomination bills into large Badalamenti, a notorious Sicilian Mafia the Justice Department, a case referred denomination bills so that the money "boss," had fled Sicily in the mid-1970's to by the mass media as the "Pizza could be more conveniently transported and took refuge in Brazil. In 1984, he Connection." The Pizza Connection in­ in suitcases overseas. Once the money was arrested in Spain, shortly after vestigation, conducted by the FBi and got to Switzerland, there were several leaving Brazil. This arrest occurred as a DEA, ran almost 3 years and targeted other individuals who were responsible result of a court-approved wiretap con­ Sicilian Mafia members and associates for converting the dollar bills into Swiss ducted by the FBI of Badalamenti's centered in New York who were en­ francs, and then to Italian lira for ulti­ nephew, Pietro A!fano, who owned a mate delivery to Sicily, the source of the gaged in large scale distribution of her­ pizzeria in Oregon, IL. Badalamenti and heroin. oin into the United States. Alfano were attempting to put together a heroin "deal" with their New York­ SICILIAN MAFIA IN THE Sicilian Mafia Lifestyle in the United area Sicilian Mafia associates when UNITED STATES States they were overheard by the investiga­ The FBI and DEA are just "Pizza Connection" Case tors. begin­ ning to determine the number of Sicilian The Pizza Connection case grew The leader of the Sicilian Mafia out of an organized crime investigation group in New York was Salvatore Toto Mafia members in the Unit~d States by the FBI of the Bonanno family of the Catalano, who was known to many of and where they live and op,~rate their New York LCN. The FBI's New York Of­ his neighbors in Queens as the owner criminal networks. The FBI Is system­ fice, assisted by DEA, New York City of a small bakery. To the FBI and DEA, atically entering intelligence data into Police, several other FBI and DEA field however, he was the apparent leader of the Organized Crime Information Sys­ offices in the United States, and Italian a group of Sicilians known as The tem (OCIS) as field investigators from police agencies, uncovered a massive Knickerbocker Avenue Crew. Besides the FBI and DEA obtain it. To date, the conspiracy involving importation of her­ heroin importation, Catalano and his FBI has "positive" data from sources, oin and money laundering by Sicilian crew were charged in the New York in­ electronics overhears, and sur­ Mafia members in the United States. dictment with the murder of Carmine veillances, corroborated by Italian po­ Galante, a ranking member of the Bo­ lice agencies, indicating that there are nanno LCN family, on July 12, 1979, in over 25 Sicilian Mafia "members" in the the rear of Joe and Mary's Restaurant in Brooklyn. 6 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______M" 2F A -

United States, although many more Si­ bers were very mobile, traveling smuggling. All of these latter criminal cilian Mafia "members" are suspected throughout the United States and over­ activities are relatively minor in scope to be in the United States. Data are also seas to Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and and impact at this time, but with their being entered into OCIS on the nu­ South America. Similar to the FBI's ex­ continuing immersion into our society, merous Sicilian Mafia "associates" in perience in foreign counterintelligence Sicilian Mafiosi in the future surely may the United States. investigations, individuals within the or­ wish to diversify their criminal program The Pizza Connection case in­ ganization had very limited, well-de­ to include more than just heroin smug­ volved subjects who were from different fined roles, such as simply receiving a gling. If that occurs, the question be­ Sicilian Mafia families and regions in Si­ phone call late at night at a phone booth comes, how will the American LCN re­ cily and resided in widely diverse loca­ and passing the brief message to a act to an invasion of its "criminal turf," tions in the United States. The center of higher-ranking person in the operation. particularly in the loansharking and the operation was New York City, with Criminal activities, besides heroin gambling areas.? operatives in the heroin network lo­ trafficking, associated with the Sicilian cated in the suburbs of New Jersey and Mafia in the United States include co­ Sicilian Mafia - Relationship with outside Philadelphia and small isolated caine trafficking, loansharking, gam­ American LeN communities in Oregon, IL, Tem­ bling, counterfeiting, theft, burglary, ar­ Dr. Giuseppe Fera, a highly re­ perance, MI, and Milton, WI. All mem- son, murder, extortion, and cigarette spected Italian police official, describes

51 ILl N MAFIA in the U.S.

______Februa~1987/7 .--~----

"Criminal activities, besides heroin trafficking, associated with the Sicilian Mafia in the United States include cocaine trafficking, loansharking, gambling, counterfeiting, theft, burglary, arson, murder, extortion, and cigarette smuggling."

the relationship between the Sicilian including one surveillance of a meeting sociates in South American, are in an Mafia and the American LCN as one of with the boss of a major New York LCN excellent position to establish cocaine "common interests," narcotics traffick­ family. Also, in at least two cases, In­ smuggling routes into the lucrative ing and money laundering, where one vestigators have identified individuals American market. Most investigators group needs the other. He says the re­ living in the United States who are believe it is just a matter of time before lationship is very precise, equal, and "positive" members of both the Amp-ri­ this happens. built on respect for each other; the com­ can LCN and the Sicilian Mafia. Accord­ mon denominator is the "ability to make ing to some, this is impossible, but as USA/ITALIAN GOVERNMENT money" together. Dr. Fera says the with all rules, there are many excep­ EFFORTS Americans and Sicilians have a much tions. Obviously, the investigators will Anti·Mafia Legislation - Maxi· Trial better relationship than, for instance, have to keep an open mind when ex­ After a wave of murders and bomb­ the Sicilian Mafia and the Camorra amining the special relationship be­ ings of police officers, investigating based in Naples. The latter relationship tween the members of the Sicilian and magistrates, and judges in Sicily and is one "not on equal footing," with the American criminal organizations. other parts of Italy, the legislature of the Sicilians being the dominant group and Will the Sicilian Mafia in the United Central Government of Italy enacted on the "Neapolitans always trying to in­ States expand into other criminal ac­ September 11, 1982, the Anti-Mafia gratiate themselves with the Sicilians." tivities, such as gambling and loan­ law. The main features of the Anti-Mafia Experienced FBI organized crime sharking, running head on with Ameri­ law are: investigators in New York have con­ can LCN interests? Most investigators -"Association" with known Mafia cluded the following about the Sicilian believe that as long as the heroin smug­ types is illegal, whether a cri· ,;" Mafia/American LCN relationship: gling operations remain as lucrative as committed or not; 1) The Sicilian Mafia operates in in the past, the Sicilians, with isolated -"Association" also applies to the United States as a separate exceptions, are not iikely to take on the the Camorra and other "Mafia­ criminal organization, specializing American LCN in areas of their criminal type groups; in heroin smuggling, with first expertise. More probably, according to -"Exile" locations for "Mafiosi" allegiance to their "family" in Si­ the experts here and in Italy, the Sicilian shall be in towns with a population cily; Mafia will use its extensive South Amer­ of 10,000 or less, and un­ authorized leaving of the exiled 2) Prior to initiating a major heroin ican contacts to expand into major co­ location shall cause imprisonment; smuggling operation, they obtain caine smuggling and trafficking in the -Property and other assets are the "sanction" of certain Ameri­ United States. The likely adversary subject to confiscation; can LCN families (Gambino fam­ then would be the "Colombian Mafia," the major cocaine trafficking organiza­ -Telephone wiretaps are author­ ily in New York, DeCavalcante tion in this country. ized on persons suspected of family in New Jersey are exam­ Cocaine use in Italy, as well as the belonging to a "Mafia-type" asso­ ples); and United States, is a major substance ciation; and 3) As payment for the American abuse problem. Through the Camorra -The term "omerta" is defined LCN family granting its "sanc­ criminal organization, Naples has be­ in the law in its most negative tion," the Sicilian Mafia pays come the central distribution center for connotation, as a "conduct of non­ a monetary tribute (e.g., up to cocaine for Italy and other countries in cooperation with public safety $5,000 for each kilo of heroin Europe. The major importer of cocaine officials due to fear." smuggled into the United States) into Italy is Italian fugitive, Antonio Bar­ This law has had a significant impact on to the American LCN family. dellino, the boss of one of three Sicilian Mafia heroin traffickers. It is the The FBI offices in both Newark and Camorra " families" that are closely basis of action that led to the wo;ld­ New York have conducted surveillance aligned, if not part, of the Sicilian Mafia. wide arrest in 1984 of over 460 mem- on prominent American LCN members, Bardellino is believed to be in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which he fled to in 1982, when charged with "Mafia association." Bardellino, along with other Sicilian Mafia and Camorra members and as-

8 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______w • m

bers and associates of the Sicilian believes that the Maxi-Trial signals the Italian National Police (State Mafia. The trial of these defendants, end of the Sicilian Mafia. At best, if the Police of Polizia dello Stato)­ called the "Maxi-Trial," began in Febru­ prosecution is fully or partially success­ This organization is charged with ary 1986, in Palermo.1o ful, several members will have reduced the investigation of all crimes com­ The "Maxi-Trial" is described as a power and influence within their respec­ mitted within major cities in Italy. "collage" of all the Mafia investigations tive families and the organization as a There are approximately 80,000 throughout Italy from 1970 to 1984. The whole. positions in the state police. case against the suspected 468 Mafiosi The most positive effects of the Guardia di Finanza (Finance is set forth in a "40-volume, 8,632-page Maxi Trial, and the publicity surround­ Guards) - This organization indictment that details 90 murders, ing the deaths of Chinnici and other enforces tax, fiscal, excise, and countless kidnapings, and the use of anti-Mafia investigators, are the break­ smuggling laws. It enforces the fi­ torture chambers."11 The trial will also down of "omerta" through the testi­ nancial confiscation aspects of the detail the extensive heroin-smuggling mony of Buscetta and others, and more Anti-Mafia law. It has 41,500 mem­ operation of the Sicilian Mafia. One de­ importantly, the public outcry that has bers. fendant alone is accused of laundering ensued in Sicily and elsewhere over the Arma dei Carabinieri (Judicial about $600 million in drug profits Sicilian Mafia's illicit organization. For Military Police) - This service inves­ through Swiss bank accounts. Two of the first time, the Roman Catholic tigates crimes in major cities and the principal witnesses, or "penitents" Church, through the Bishop of Palermo those areas where the state police as they are called in Sicily, are and the Pope himself, has condemned does not have representation. There Tomasso Buscetta and Salvatore Con­ Mafia activity as bad for society. Sicilian are approximately 82,000 positions. torno. Both Buscetta~and Contorno are college students have staged public Despite occasional differences, the in American Federal custody and are anti-Mafia demonstrations, in coopera­ three police agencies in Italy are seen currently testifying in New York in the tion with the widows and children of as increasing their effectiveness Pizza Connection case. magistrates and police assassinated by against the Sicilian Mafia and drug traf­ The Maxi-Trial is called the most the Mafia. Many hope this public activity ficking. intense crackdown on the Si,::ilian Mafia will spur the Government of Italy, in co­ The quality of cooperation and in­ since the Mori Operation instituted in operation with the United State!'; and telligence sharing between Italian and the 1920's by MussolinL The principal other countl ies, to continue a maximum U.S. law enforcement agencies is im­ defendant in the Maxi-Trial is Michele worldwide effort against the Sicilian proving. The major drug problem each Greco, the boss of Palermo and the Mafia. country shares is the central riveting chairman of the interprovincial commis­ point that drives the joint investigative sion of the Sicilian Mafia. Greco, with Law Enforcement Cooperation his brother, Salvatore, are charged with effort against the Sicilian Mafia. In June The investigative thrust against the the planning of the car-bomb as­ 1984, Italy and the United States had Sicilian Mafia in the United States has the first meeting of the Italian-U.S. sassination of Palermo Judge Rocco been shared by the FBI and DEA. Both Working Group on Drug Interdiction. Chinnici in 1984. Judge Chinnici is agencies work closely with major local The co-chairmen are the Minister of In­ fondly remembered by many FBI and police agencies, such as the New York terior for Italy and the Attorney General DEA Agents who recall his extensive City Police Department, and other in­ of the United States. This working dedication to the investigation of what volved Federal departments and agen­ group has served to keep the "pressure he called "the worldwide Sicilian Mafia cies. on" the problem facing both countries. plague." There are four principal police Another subworking group, made The Maxi-Trial is considered by agencies in Italy dedicated to Sicilian up of field and headquarters investiga­ many experts as "outstanding pub­ Mafia investigations: tive personnel assigned Sicilian Mafia licity," for it exposes the Sicilian Mafia Central Anti-Drug Service (SCA) matters, has had major meetings i;l the to extensive media scrutiny, but most - The SCA coordinates, without do not think the case, because of its un­ operational control, the drug inves­ wieldy size, can be successfully pros­ tigations of the three police services ecuted. In any case, no one seriously of Italy.

------______February 1987/9 "The Sicilian Mafia intelligence base must be expanded to help further define this serious problem and to assist in developing the identities and organizational structure of those eng.aged in criminal activities."

past 3 years, one in Quantico, VA, and One of the policemen arrested was ad­ structure of those engaged in criminal the other in Ottawa, Canada. This ditionally charged with narcotics traf­ activities. group, representing the United States, ficking and is believed to be a Sicilian The leaders of American law en­ Italy, Canada, and Australia, is sched­ Mafia "mole," who is suspected of forcement, primarily the Attorney Gen­ uled to meet next in Italy to discuss op­ being ~he "fingerman" for the Mafia as­ eral, the Director of the FBI, and the Ad­ erational matters of mutual interest. sassination of the vice chief of the Pal­ ministrator of DEA, continue to The Italian Minister of the Interior ermo Mobile Squad in August 1985. emphasize the need to educate the recently proposed a change to the Ital­ American public through periodic and ian narcotics law which will allow con­ CONCLUSION opportune announcements of the dan­ trolled drug deliveries. When enacted, The Sicilian Mafia has had a tre­ ger the Sicilian Mafia poses for the cit­ this will aid in Sicilian Mafia investiga­ mendous impact on crime in the United izens of this country. Even to this day, tions, where a police-controlled drug States since the turn of the century. The there are those in this country who be­ delivery can lead to identification of American LCN, the most powerful and lieve that the American LCN is a "fig­ high-level conspirators. Police officials sophisticated organized crime group in ment in the imagination" of law enforce­ in Italy are also pressing the Minister of America, grew out of the Sicilian Mafia ment. We should not and cannot let that the Interior to sponsor new legislation organization that first surfaced in New happen with the Sicilian Mafia. that will allow witnesses or informants Orleans in the 1800's and later in New !?@U to be given immunity and protection. York City in the 1920's. Today, the Si­ Such legislation would bring Italy in line cilian Mafia is a formidable criminal or­ Footnotes 1Davld Leon Chandler, Brothers in Blood (E.P. with the United Stat0s. ganization in this country, in control of a Dullon and Co., 1975), p. 15. A potential roadblock to the contin­ worldwide heroin distribution network. 2lbld. pp. 26-28. 3Gluseppe Fava, Mafial from Giuliano do Salla uing battle against the Sicilian Mafia is Their relationship with the American Cheese (I. Sicillani. 1982), p. 8. the "terrible morale situation" currently LCN seems to be in excellent shape, 4Supra note 1, p. 41. 5Supra nole 1, pp. 87-90. affecting the Palermo Mobile Police and their contacts with other criminal 6Supra nole 3, pp. 13-14. Squad. American Embassy personnel groups, the blacks, Colombians, etc., 7"Narcollcs Intelligence Estimate-1984," The National Narcotics Intelligence Consumers Committee, advised that the Sicilian Mafia's recent are increasing. p.46. terror campaign of bombings and kill­ In order to effectively cope with Si· BOlA Report of Ihe Study of Organized Crime's Infillration of the Pizza and Cheese Induslry." Pennsyl· ings against the Palermo investigative cllian Mafia criminal problems, the FBI, vania Crime Commission, March 1980. team of police, magistrates, and judges DEA, and the Departments of Justice, 9lbld. 10"474 go on Irlalln Sicily as Italy takes on Mafia," has had a very detrimental effect. Pal­ State, and Treasury, as well as other Washington nmes, February 11. 1986. ermo is now classified as an "extreme American law enforcement entities/ 11Jeff Trimble, "A Citizens' War on the Mafia." U.S. News and World Report, February 3, 1986, p. 31. hardship" post and permanent assign­ continue to cooperate with each other ment of American investigative person­ and their foreign counterparts, par­ nel is considered too dangerous and ticularly in Italy, Canada, Switzerland, out of the question. and Australia. Sicilian Mafia investiga­ Adding to the deteriorating morale tions must receive "top priority" hand­ of the police in Palermo was the arrest ling within each American and foreign in October 1985, of 15 members of the law enforcement agency. In 1984, the Palermo Mobile Squad and three Car­ Director of the FBI designated Sicilian abinieri. They were charged with the al­ Mafia cases to be a major priority within leged torture death of a Sicilian Mafiosi the FBI's Organized Crime Program. implicated in the assassination of a Pal­ Other agencies are encouraged to ac­ ermo police commissioner in July 1985. tively contribute intelligence data on the Sicilian Mafia to the FBI's OCIS. The Si­ cilian Mafia intelligence base must be expanded to help further define this se­ rious problem and to assist in develop­ ing the identities and organizational

10 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______,______