Italy’s Direzione Investigativa Antimafia (DIA) has released its annual report, warning of significant shifts in the operations of Italian criminal organizations.
The mafia—including Cosa Nostra, Camorra, and ’Ndrangheta—is increasingly moving away from violent turf wars, instead favoring collaboration in drug trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering.
According to the DIA report, Cosa Nostra and Camorra are forging alliances both within Italy and abroad, while ’Ndrangheta is focusing on controlling public works projects. DIA Director Michele Carbone emphasizes that this form of coexistence is creating synergies and organizational structures capable of absorbing tension and avoiding internal conflict.
The DIA warns of mafia infiltration in publicly funded projects, particularly those backed by EU recovery funds, the planned bridge linking Sicily to the mainland, and preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics. In 2024, 38% of anti-mafia administrative actions targeted the construction sector, with investigations covering 200 public infrastructure sites.
The report also highlights the growing use of advanced technology by mafia groups, including encrypted communication channels, drones to maintain contact with prisoners, and Chinese “underground banking” networks for laundering money. Additionally, the DIA raises concerns about the recruitment of marginalized youth into so-called “baby gangs,” a trend fueled by displays of power on social media. The agency affirms its readiness to block any attempts by organized crime to interfere with the construction of the Strait of Messina bridge.