Anti-Mafia Operation in Palermo Results in Re-Arrest of Released Cosa Nostra Bosses

Palermo: Palermo police on Wednesday arrested 19 Cosa Nostra suspects including some Corleone bosses who had been released after serving prison time but had gone back to their criminal activities, police sources said.

According to Ansa News Agency, the investigation revealed that some suspects, after serving their sentences, sought to consolidate their positions of power. They aimed to control and manage productive activities, particularly in the construction sector, within their district area.

Among those arrested in the operation was the boss Franco Bonura, who, after his release, was reportedly active in reorganizing a network to reaffirm his influence. His activities also aimed at sharing the economic benefits from business initiatives.

Alongside Bonura, co-bosses Agostino Sansone and Girolamo Buscemi were also apprehended. These individuals are part of the Cosa Nostra leadership who had previously been released from prison.

The investigation was coordinated by prosecutor Maurizio de Lucia, deputy Marzia Sabella, and substitute Giovanni Antoci of the district anti-mafia directorate. It documented meetings intended to build and strengthen relationships with Sicilian political and business figures, including gatherings on agricultural land in the Passo di Rigano area.

The organization was found to control production activities in the construction sector, favoring companies linked to entrepreneurs under the current precautionary measures. Additionally, the Notr3 nightclub, where a young man named Lino Celesia was murdered two years ago, was seized. Investigators believe the club could be connected to the Sansone family.