Mafia’s Seafood Empire Crumbles: €50 Million Asset Seizure Exposes Italy-Morocco Money Laundering Ring

This operation follows an in-depth investigation targeting a mafia network involved in illegal activities related to the fishing sector and money laundering, according to the Italian financial police. The assets of the entrepreneur, who owns companies active in Italy and Morocco, were seized based on a decision by the Caltanissetta court in Sicily, at the request of the territorial anti-mafia directorate.

The operation was carried out by the economic and financial investigations unit of the Caltanissetta police with the support of the maritime and air unit of the Palermo financial police. In total, more than 40 properties, as well as vehicles, fishing boats, bank accounts, shareholdings in companies, offices and branches of companies spread between Italy and Morocco, were seized.

The person involved, known as Antonino, is a famous businessman in the fishing and seafood marketing sector at the local and international level. Nearly 45 people are involved in this network. The Sicilian entrepreneur who was arrested had already been convicted of belonging to a criminal organization, then acquitted before being convicted on appeal to 6 years and 8 months in prison.

The investigations also revealed that Antonino was linked to the Rinzivillo mafia clan, for whom he laundered money from drug trafficking through his companies in Italy and Morocco.