Nigerian mob busted in Italy
18/10/2007 13:16  - (SA)  

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Rome - Police said on Thursday they had broken up a Nigerian-run mafia organisation - complete with initiation rites and colour-coded clothing - that controlled prostitution rings, extortion and fake credit card scams in northern Italy, officials said.

Police in Brescia advised six Nigerians already in jail that they now stood accused of mafia association with the aim of extortion, favouring prostitution and other crimes, police said in a statement.

Authorities said the mob controlled lucrative illegal immigrant activities, including prostitution, drug trafficking, extortion and making fake credit cards.

Like their Sicilian counterparts, the so-called "eiye" mobsters protected their territory by striking back violently at other Nigerian-run criminal organisations, the statement said.

Initiation rites included paying $850 and drinking blood, the Ansa news agency reported. Members also had to wear blue hats and blue shoes, and had particular slang and hand gestures that distinguished them from other gangs, the statement said.

The money was used to pay for weapons and logistical support for the group, the statement said.

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