Italy to tackle mobsters
2009-08-15 22:17
Rome - Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Saturday Italy will crack down on organised crime over the next four years.
Berlusconi gave no details during a news conference in Rome, but the strategy could involve deploying more soldiers to southern cities and towns where mobsters are powerful.
Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said sending soldiers to Naples last year has worked to discourage bloody crime clan wars. He says the government wants to expand that approach.
The justice minister said a plan will be revealed in September.
Maroni says police are using hundreds of cars confiscated from mobsters.
Italy has been seizing assets allegedly earned through drug trafficking, loan-sharking or extortion - common practices among organised crime syndicates.
- SAPA