The criminal organization in charge of the Brancaccio district in Palermo has suffered a severe setback. Eight individuals were apprehended by the police on suspicion of mafia ties, extortion, drug trafficking, and unlawful weapon possession. The investigation exposes the clans' recently established organizational structures and pertains to the Roccella-Guarnaschelli mafia families. The investigation not only identified the mandate representatives who would have assumed control of the primary illicit operations following the apprehensions of the previous leaders but also uncovered multiple instances of extortion from local businesses, including mechanical workshops, hotels, and street food vendors. All of them are obliged to pay the so-called "pizzo". Additionally, the clans oversaw the drug trafficking squares, particularly in the Sperone district, where the mafia controlled the drug's supply routes. Additionally, Palermo's mafia factions oversaw hidden online betting. And it was within this framework that the assassination of Sperone's leader, Giancarlo Romano, which occurred a week ago over concerns regarding the lace on online wagering, reached its climax. Romano was a participant in the inquiry that subsequently resulted in his apprehension: investigators had determined his position within the clan. His murderers, however, outpaced the authorities, who have since apprehended them.
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