Cosa Nostra News

An unassuming fruit and vegetable shop in western Sicily near Trapani included a massive refrigerator attached to it. Located in the middle of mob boss Matteo Messina Denaro's home turf , the refrigerator did more than it was intended to. In fact, the cooling unit served double duty as a meeting place for six alleged members of Denaro's Mafia clan. Meeting in the fridge -- six alleged members of Messina Denaro's Mafia clan were caught holding important meetings inside a refrigerator. The alleged mobsters believed that the refrigerator's thick insulation served as an effective buffer against Sicilian law enforcement, otherwise referred to as the anti-mafia police.

Police in Sicily seized four olive companies, including farmland and villas allegedly owned by Matteo Messina Denaro , the powerful Cosa Nostra boss on the run since 1993. Prosecutors allege that a Denaro confidant was listed as the owner of the businesses -- as well as 108 properties, plus vehicles and bank accounts. 2001 magazine that gave Denaro national renown. The property, based in western Sicily, was confiscated yesterday and is believed to be Denaro’s power base. It has an estimated worth of around $14 million. Matteo Messina Denaro is Italy’s most-wanted fugitive. He's been on the lam for nearly 25 years and is considered one of the most powerful bosses in the Sicilian Cosa Nostra.

Italian Law Enforcement Officials Call It Italy's Fifth Major Mafia Group Mafia Capitale is based in Rome. In a story posted this week about Matteo Messina Denaro ,  The Independent notes that Italian law enforcement has uncovered what is believed to be Italy's fifth major Mafia group. It's based in Rome. The organized crime group is less violent prone than the traditional Mafias and seems to largely rely on corruption. In terms of age, it goes back "at least three administrations."