Thursday, February 3, 2011

Italy: Luxury 'Mafia' beach hotel impounded south












- Italian police on Wednesday impounded a luxury hotel in southern Italy that investigators contend is owned by a clan from the country's most powerful and wealthy mafia network - the 'Ndrangheta.


Police from the southern Calabria region early Wednesday raided the Parco dei Principi hotel in the town of Marina di Gioiosa Jonica. Investigators believe that beach hotel belongs to the Coluccio crime family, even if it is registered under another name.


The hotel, advertised as "five-star" accommodations, is valued at 11 million euros, according to a police statement.


Seven people associated with the hotel are under investigation for money laundering and fraud, in relation with public financing.


A person who answered the telephone at the hotel couldn't immediately say if guests and reservations will be affected by the police raid.


The 'Ndrangheta is the mafia organisation from the Calabria region. http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Aki/English/Security/?id=3.1.1625620092