Mob Group Ndrangheta Abandons Vallée d'Aoste Amidst Fears of Infiltration
Hey there! Let's dive into a fascinating discussion about the potential risks of mafia infiltration in the tourism and construction sectors. This topic was addressed in a webinar organized by the Permanent Observatory of Legality, aiming to educate industry professionals in the Aosta Valley, a region with a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, shops, and construction companies.
Regrettably, only 11 out of the intended 6,000 participants took part – an indication, perhaps, of a worrying indifference that the organizers aimed to tackle. The meeting aimed to shed light on the most alarming signs of a territory susceptible to mafia infiltration.
Entrepreneurs in the "Petite Patrie" missed out on valuable insights from direct testimonies provided by individuals who had unwittingly crossed paths with mafia groups in similar locations to the Aosta Valley. For instance, the example of Lake Garda, where the lack of labor in tourist establishments led business owners to hire from distant sources without questioning their backgrounds – an approach that inadvertently opened the door to organized crime.
One of the most striking interventions came from Matteo Gozzoli, the mayor of Cesenatico, a town with 25,000 inhabitants that becomes 100,000 during the peak summer months, boasting 250 hotels, similar to popular ski resorts in the Aosta Valley like Cervinia, Courmayeur, Champoluc, Cogne, and Gressoney. Gozzoli shared his experience of how a rapid series of bar and restaurant takeovers by a company led by a Milanese of Calabrian origin marked the beginning of their town's struggle with mafia infiltration.
The local police encountered threats during routine checks on public land and waste collection, which ultimately led to investigations and the discovery of the Mancuso-Piromalli clan lurking behind the company. This scenario bears striking similarities to reports of the attempted purchase of a disco in Cervinia, Aosta Valley, by a company linked to a Calabrian clan – a strand of danger that the region should be mindful of.
Gozzoli's message to the Aosta Valley revolves around the importance of scrutinizing the tourism sector, as it is particularly susceptible to fluctuations, societal changes, and the disappearance of family-run businesses. In such situations, the possibility of mafia infiltration heightens as new buyers may be tempted to sell their businesses without asking too many questions. This underscores the need for vigilant citizens and a network of community watchdogs to supplement law enforcement efforts in identifying and thwarting unscrupulous activities.
However, there seems to be a cultural issue, as Gozzoli noted that interest in tackling such issues doesn't appear widespread among the people of the Aosta Valley. It's crucial that communities engage with these challenges if we are to protect our regions from the potentially devastating consequences of mafia infiltration. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and let's cooperate to cultivate a safer, more honest world for all.
- In light of Matteo Gozzoli's warning, it might be prudent for business owners in the general-news sector, such as those in the tourism and finance industry of the Aosta Valley, to conduct thorough background checks to avoid potential mafia infiltration, especially during periods of societal changes or business fluctuations.
- As the average citizen plays a crucial role in identifying and thwarting unscrupulous activities, it is important for communities in the crime-and-justice realm, like those in the Aosta Valley, to engage in the conversation and take an active interest in preventing mafia infiltration to protect the region from potential harm.
