Calabrian mafia presence in Paraguay cause for concern for its easy insertion in several areas

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The authorities point out that the large quantities of drugs seized in Europe pass through Latin American countries and depart from Paraguay. According to Italian authorities, this criminal organization profits approximately US$66.8 billion and controls 40% of cocaine shipments worldwide.

Specialized prosecutor against organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering Marcelo Pecci discussed the actions Paraguay is taking against this criminal group in the fight against drug trafficking.

Regarding these organized groups, notably the Calabrian mafia, which is suspected to be operating in the country, he said that the ‘Ndrangheta is very strong in the Italian peninsula, comes from the Calabria region and is transnational in nature.

ALERTS IN THE REGION

Pecci stated that it is raising alerts in the whole region and in Paraguay’s Prosecutor’s Office, particularly with the security forces, because it is very well organized and its main phenomenon of insertion in the various countries lies in its ability to infiltrate financial and academic circles; in the vast majority of cases, its members do not have a criminal record, which gives them a certain freedom of action.

“The combination of these factors is what makes this association have clear guidelines and be successful in the criminal sphere, especially in the area of drug trafficking. The particularities are those mentioned and, as we know, when talking about drug trafficking, the criminal variable is necessarily linked to money laundering, which is being considered at a regional level as the main factor to be pursued by this organization,” he said.

He also pointed out that the members of this organization are people with academic preparation and their businesses range from expensive restaurants and hotels, to mention some of the segments managed or administered by the leaders of this organization, as well as having a meticulous communication system.

“However, I must emphasize that the Italian police have managed to decipher high-level communications that allowed us to have precise data and advance with arrest warrants and with a number of measures which enabled a much clearer picture of the components, the physiognomy and the dynamics of this organization,” he said.

He also highlighted that Paraguay is in constant communication with the Italian authorities, who provide information on the most relevant data, on the understanding that the Prosecutor’s Office is the one in charge of the investigation of criminally relevant actions.

INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION

The prosecutor pointed out that the ‘Ndrangheta criminal group is self-sufficient enough to operate independently and believes that it does so as a general rule. However, he said that the versatility these organizations have in temporary alliances should not be neglected, when there is money, goals and illegal business, any criminal association is possible.

“It is a concern because we are dealing with organizations such as the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital), Comando Vermelho in the region, and we are attentive to any type of joint indicators that may raise the alarm and may trigger specific activities,” he said.

He also said that there are Italian citizens under investigation, but that does not mean that they are necessarily part of the organization. With the caveat that they have partners and members of illegal businesses.

“It is a very important procedure on which we are gathering specific information in order to prevent them from acting within Paraguay, particularly with respect to the laundering of assets derived from drug trafficking, which, as is well known, is an activity that drug traffickers need to implement in order to secure the dividends of their profits,” he explained.

JOINT WORK WITH ITALIAN AUTHORITIES

Pecci emphasized that the joint work is very advanced; although Paraguay is not at the level of European or first world countries, the communication and cooperation is so fluid that it has allowed Paraguay to achieve prominence and recognition in tackling this problem.

He indicated that the most important aspect is permanent monitoring and trying to be one step ahead of any situation, both in specific investigative actions as well as in knowing the methods and ways used by the members of this organization to achieve their goals.

He also emphasized that no criminal investigation can be conducted in the country without the involvement of the Paraguayan Prosecutor’s Office. Therefore, the whole institution and particularly the specialized unit that he heads, are committed to this constitutional role, and the pertinent contacts are being established to expedite the tasks and effectively fulfill them without affecting other spheres.

PARTICIPATION IN CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE

He explained that the members of this organization could virtually be considered white-collar criminals, given that the Calabrian mafia has among its members people of outstanding reputation, who could easily enter into tenders with the State, as they have the ability to penetrate into academic, social, economic and financial fields.

He also clarified that this Italian organization is not known for its daily violent nature, as seen in other Brazilian organizations. Moreover, they conform to the format of “well prepared traditional families,” a long-standing and traditional cliché of Italian criminal organizations.

“They are traditional families that unfortunately became exponents of organized crime, who found there a favorable environment to insert themselves into the legal systems in order to carry out their illegal operations, often in a very discreet way, and that is the point or level we do not want to reach, which is why we are mutually strengthening each other,” he pointed out.