Naples arrests in Mafia crackdown

By Christian Fraser
BBC News, Naples, Italy

A thousand extra policeman have been put on duty in Naples

Italian police have arrested 30 people in Naples as part of a crackdown on the Mafia following a surge in violence.

The raid targeted the bosses and associates of two clans thought to be involved in extortion and international drug trafficking.

The Naples Mafia, known as the Camorra, has turned on itself recently.

After nine murders in the past two weeks some have called for the army to be sent to the city. The ninth died on Wednesday, ending several days of calm.

The victim was known to be a leading member of a local clan.

Police said the gunmen had fired on their victim from the back of a stolen ambulance. The vehicle was later torched in a street close to the murder scene.

It was part of an ongoing war between about groups believed to make up the Camorra.

Reinforcements

Critics blame the recent spate of violence on the release of about 2,500 men from over-crowded prisons in the region.

Wednesday's murder followed several days of relative calm

Some of the murders have involved people who have only recently been freed.

The killing has brought pressure on the Camorra.

The interior minister set out an emergency plan for the city on Friday which will include an extra 1,000 policemen.

On Wednesday several hundred policemen were involved in an operation in which 30 people were arrested in raids across the city.

Those arrested are accused of Camorra association, robbery, extortion and drug trafficking.

There have also been reports on state television that a year-long investigation is now looking closely at the Camorra's involvement in recent local elections.