Rome, April 27, 2026 – Two Calabrian entrepreneurs, aged 60, have been arrested in Rome on charges of usury and extortion, aggravated by mafia methods. The individuals, ostensibly involved in the construction sector, are believed by investigators and prosecutors to be connected to the ‘Confederazione cosentina’, a ‘Ndrangheta structure that unites various clans from the province of Cosenza in a horizontal alliance, managing extortion and drug trafficking with a common fund.
3 Million Euro Usury Ring: High Interest Rates and Intimidation
The investigation documented an illegal lending operation with a turnover exceeding 3 million euros. The arrested individuals allegedly applied interest rates exceeding 300% per annum to their victims, who included professionals and merchants in the capital. To coerce payments, the ‘white-collar’ members of the confederation not only resorted to threats but also possessed a substantial wartime arsenal.
The Modus Operandi: An Illegal Bank with Mafia Ties
The two arrested individuals operated as an illegal bank in the heart of Rome. According to ongoing investigations by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate, the capital managed did not originate from their own funds but belonged to the family branches of the Cosenza clans. Approximately 25 confirmed victims, including several Roman entrepreneurs, fell into the network of abusive credit.
Wartime Arsenal Discovered in Rome
The violent aspect of the organization emerged during searches conducted in Rome. In addition to 300,000 euros in cash, ready to be disbursed as
