Extortion and Violent Assault in Naples: Three Arrested for Mafia-Method Crimes

They would have asked a 45-year-old man to sell a large quantity of hashish on their behalf, threatening him that if he did not accept their proposal, he would have to give up possession of his car or his public housing, or alternatively, he would have to give them the sum of 10,000 euros in cash. Upon his refusal, they began to brutally beat him in the presence of his wife and two minor children. For this incident, which occurred last March in Cercola, in the Naples area, three people have been arrested for aggravated extortion, robbery, personal injury, illegal possession of a pistol, and possession with the intent to distribute drugs, crimes aggravated by the mafia method. The investigations, coordinated by the Naples DDA, were triggered by the victim, who, after the assault, presented himself at the station with his face completely swollen and bleeding. The investigations carried out by the military have allowed the acquisition of elements against the three suspects (against whom the GIP at the Court of Naples has issued a precautionary custody order in prison) believed to be linked to the Casella clan of Ponticelli.