Italian police arrest 13 Chinese nationals in major operation against mafia and money laundering

Italian police have arrested 13 Chinese nationals in a nationwide raid targeting suspected Chinese mafia networks, authorities said Monday.

The suspects face charges including drug trafficking, sex and labor exploitation, product counterfeiting, and money laundering.

The operation, spanning 25 provinces, led to the seizure of €741 million ($854.34 million), the closure of 266 shell companies, and the freezing of 400 bank accounts, according to the Interior Ministry. Authorities also dismantled a tax fraud scheme reportedly worth €3.4 billion ($3.92 million) and recovered €596 million ($687.3 million) in evaded VAT. The network allegedly operated with the help of “consultants” in the Marche, Lombardy, and Piedmont regions.