The Camorra Violence: Mafia Wars in the Metropolitan Area of Naples

• In Event: Organized Crime, Violence and Politics

Abstract

During the past decade the level of violence performed by criminal groups active in the metropolitan area of Naples has witnessed dramatic peaks, both in quantitative terms and qualitative ones, especially as far as the visibility, aggressiveness, and spectacularity of the acts of violence being carried out mostly by members of different clans involved in the fight for the control over the drugs business is concerned. Since the 70’s the number of camorra homicides has been constantly the highest in comparison with other territories traditionally affected in Italy by the presence of organized crime groups. Over the last 20 years there have been about 1500 victims caused by camorra turf wars. One of the main reasons of the cyclical, extremely violent wars among clans is the strong relationship with the local context and the fragmentation of the camorra criminal system. This is particularly true for the city of Naples, where clans are strictly connected with the urban context, from which they derive their power, their legitimization and their identity. On the basis of quantitative and qualitative data, this paper provides an overview and a critical analysis of camorra conflicts occurred in the area of Naples during the past 40 years.

Authors

• Luciano Brancaccio, University of Naples Federico II, Star Project

• Carolina Castellano, University of Naples “Federico II”, STAR Project

• Vittorio Martone, University of Naples “Federico II”, STAR Project

• Monica Massari, University of Naples Federico II, Star project

• Anna Maria Zaccaria, University of Naples “Federico II”, STAR Project