The 'Ndrangheta, the Most Powerful of Italy's Mafias
“The only thing that can’t be bribed is the weather.” Southern Italian proverb Calabria, Italy, home to the dreaded Ndrangheta. If not for the Ndrangheta organized crime syndicate, the southern Italian region of Calabria would be a "failed state" due to the Calabrian Mafia's powerful grip on the economy and virtually all aspects of life in that part of Italy. This sentiment was expressed some five years ago by an American diplomat, whose papers were leaked to WikiLeaks , which published them on Jan. 13. The American diplomat further noted in the papers that the Ndrangheta had been able to establish itself and flourish due to ineffective and corrupt politicians and port officials, and the absence of strong law enforcement. Also, the focus on the more well-known Sicilian Cosa Nostra had provided this shadowy network the time and space to organize itself and perpetuate. The diplomat was actually shortchanging the group. The Ndrangheta controls ...