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full screen Italian police in northern Italy. File photo taken in October. Photo: Andrea Bressanutti/AP/TT
A Catholic nun belonging to a religious community in Milan has been arrested for mafia-related crimes. She is suspected of having acted as an intermediary for the powerful ‘Ndrangheta.
A total of 25 people were arrested in Thursday’s crackdown, reports CNN. They are accused of a range of crimes, including extortion, drug trafficking, tax crimes and money laundering.
The 57-year-old nun had long worked voluntarily at several different prisons in and around Brescia in northern Italy. However, she did more than offer comfort and blessings, according to police.
“Sister Collina” is said to have sent messages and orders between jailed mafia bosses and foot soldiers on the outside linked to the influential and violent ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate in southern Italy, writes CNN. The police accuse the nun of abusing her religious role.
The equivalent of nearly SEK 21 million was seized in the crackdown, in which 300 police officers and specially trained dogs participated. Weapons and drugs were also seized in several places in northern Italy.