Three people have been placed in pre-trial custody in Naples in an investigation into alleged usury, extortion and criminal association in the Quartieri Spagnoli area.
According to Il Mattino, investigators allege the suspects forced repayment of loans at extremely high interest rates through threats invoking the Mariano clan. The reported conduct allegedly included physical attacks against a victim and members of the victim's family.
The arrests followed precautionary measures issued by the preliminary-investigations judge in Naples at the request of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate. The operation was carried out by the Carabinieri.
During a search, investigators reportedly recovered luxury watches and a large sum of money.
The custody measures are preliminary investigative measures. The people involved must be presumed innocent until a final judgment.
