The Licciardi clan (Italian pronunciation: [litˈtʃardi]) is a powerful Neapolitan Camorra clan that operates in the remote areas of Naples, specifically in the Secondigliano district and its stronghold of Masseria Cardone. Its sphere of influence extends to Scampia, Chiaiano, Miano and San Pietro a Patierno.
| Founded | 1980s |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Gennaro Licciardi |
| Founding location | Secondigliano, Naples |
| Years active | 1980s-present |
| Territory | Territory in Scampia, Chiaiano, Miano, San Pietro a Patierno. Outside Italy, the organization is present in Romania and Netherlands |
| Criminal activities | Racketeering, fraud, smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking, prostitution |
| Allies | Contini clan Mallardo clan Nuvoletta clan Polverino clan Moccia clan Giuliano clan 'Ndrangheta |
| Rivals | Lo Russo clan (defunct) |
Leadership
edit- 1980s-1994: Gennaro Licciardi, known as a scigna. (Died in prison in 1994)[citation needed]
- 1994-2008: Vincenzo Licciardi. (Arrested in 2008)[citation needed]
- 1994–present: Maria Licciardi, known as La Madrina.[citation needed]
History
editIn the mid-eighties, Gennaro Licciardi, known as "a scigna-la scimmia", "the monkey" was the capozona in the district of Secondigliano for the Giuliano clan of Forcella. At that time, Licciardi was the second-in-command to boss Luigi Giuliano. The outskirts of the Secondigliano district was considered to be unimportant by the other Camorra bosses. A few years later, Gennaro Licciardi formed a fully independent clan that managed to turn the area into a strategic hub for the storage and trafficking of drugs. He also became the founding member of the Secondigliano Alliance, a coalition of powerful Camorra clans which controls drug trafficking and extortion rackets in many suburbs of Naples. Apart from the Licciardi clan, the alliance included the Contini, Mallardo, Lo Russo, Stabile, Prestieri, Bocchetti and Di Lauro clans.
After the death of Gennaro by blood poisoning in the Voghera prison on August 3, 1994, the management of the clan fell entirely to the brothers, Pietro "the Roman Emperor" and Vincenzo and also to his sister Maria, known as "la Piccolina", "the little one".[1]
The clan used its influence to mediate between the Di Lauro clan and the so-called "secessionists" (Italian "scissionisti"), a breakaway fraction from the Di Lauro clan in the northern suburbs of Naples that tried to assert its control over drugs and prostitution rackets in the area. It therefore played an important role in putting an end to the Scampia feud.[citation needed]
On May 9, 2008, the Carabinieri seized goods worth 300 million euros and arrested 44 members of the Licciardi clan.[2]
In February 2019, Giuseppe Musella, son of Maria Licciardi, was arrested. According to investigations, he was the current leader of the clan. Musella was arrested in Scampia for criminal association, robbery and kidnapping.[3]
Activities
editOn March 21, 2018, 19 arrests were made in Rome of alleged members belonging to the Licciardi clan and members of the Filippone 'ndrina and Gallico 'ndrina accused of drug trafficking.[4]
According to Francesco Forgione, the former president of the Antimafia Commission, the Licciardi clan is active in the Netherlands, using the country to counterfeit clothes.[5]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ (in Italian) Maxioperazione contro il clan Licciardi di Secondigliano. In manette sono finite 44 persone[permanent dead link], Calabria notizie, July 9, 2008
- ^ (in Italian) Camorra, blitz contro il clan Licciardi, 44 arresti[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Camorra. Colpo all'Alleanza di Secondigliano, il profilo di Pino 'o nir: è il figlio di Maria Licciardi". InterNapoli (in Italian). February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Camorra e 'ndrangheta, 19 arresti a Roma". La Stampa. March 21, 2018.
- ^ "Netherlands". Il Fatto Quotidiano.