FBI arrests more than hundred suspected mafia members in a major crackdown on organised crime in New York city area.
Federal US agents have arrested more than 100 alleged mafia members throughout New York, on charges including murder, extortion and narcotics trafficking
The FBI said most of the arrests were made on Thursday morning. Many were in Brooklyn, but they also occurred throughout New York City and in New Jersey and New England.
"We have charged mob associates and mob bosses alike including the former boss of La Cosa Nostra operations in New England," Eric Holder, the US attorney, said.
"Some allegations involve classic mob hits to eliminate perceived rivals.
"Others involve truly senseless murders. In one instance a victim was allegedly shot and killed during a bodged robbery attempt and two other murder victims allegedly were shot in a public bar in a dispute over a spilled drink."
The arrests were described as a major blow to the region's five mafia families. The New York Times, quoting unnamed sources, called it "the largest such sweep of organised crime figures ever conducted by federal authorities."
'Mafia decimated'
Federal probes aided by mob turncoats have decimated the families' ranks in recent years and
have resulted in lengthy prison terms for several leaders.
Last Friday, a federal judge in Brooklyn sentenced John "Sonny" Franzese, 93, to eight years in prison for extorting Manhattan strip clubs and a pizzeria on Long Island.
Federal prosecutors had sought at least 12 years behind bars for the under-boss of the Colombo crime family - in effect, a life term. To bolster their argument, they had an FBI agent testify that Franzese bragged about killing 60 people over the years and once contemplated putting out a hit on his own son for becoming a government co-operator.
In October, Mafia turncoat Salvatore Vitale was sentenced to time served for murders and other crimes after federal prosecutors praised his total betrayal of his own crime syndicate - and after he apologised to the families of his victims.
The FBI said most of the arrests were made on Thursday morning. Many were in Brooklyn, but they also occurred throughout New York City and in New Jersey and New England.
"We have charged mob associates and mob bosses alike including the former boss of La Cosa Nostra operations in New England," Eric Holder, the US attorney, said.
"Some allegations involve classic mob hits to eliminate perceived rivals.
"Others involve truly senseless murders. In one instance a victim was allegedly shot and killed during a bodged robbery attempt and two other murder victims allegedly were shot in a public bar in a dispute over a spilled drink."
The arrests were described as a major blow to the region's five mafia families. The New York Times, quoting unnamed sources, called it "the largest such sweep of organised crime figures ever conducted by federal authorities."
'Mafia decimated'
Federal probes aided by mob turncoats have decimated the families' ranks in recent years and
have resulted in lengthy prison terms for several leaders.
Last Friday, a federal judge in Brooklyn sentenced John "Sonny" Franzese, 93, to eight years in prison for extorting Manhattan strip clubs and a pizzeria on Long Island.
Federal prosecutors had sought at least 12 years behind bars for the under-boss of the Colombo crime family - in effect, a life term. To bolster their argument, they had an FBI agent testify that Franzese bragged about killing 60 people over the years and once contemplated putting out a hit on his own son for becoming a government co-operator.
In October, Mafia turncoat Salvatore Vitale was sentenced to time served for murders and other crimes after federal prosecutors praised his total betrayal of his own crime syndicate - and after he apologised to the families of his victims.
Authorities said he had a hand in at least 11 murders, including that of a fellow gangster in the fallout from the infamous Donnie Brasco case.
The evidence provided after his arrest in 2003 helped decimate the once-fearsome Bonanno organised crime family, Greg Andres, assistant US attorney, said.
"The mafia today is weaker because of his co-operation,'' Andres said.
"Mr Vitale provided lead after lead. ... The results speak for themselves.''
The evidence provided after his arrest in 2003 helped decimate the once-fearsome Bonanno organised crime family, Greg Andres, assistant US attorney, said.
"The mafia today is weaker because of his co-operation,'' Andres said.
"Mr Vitale provided lead after lead. ... The results speak for themselves.''
