Police in Italy have seized a total of 17 seaside resorts along the southern coast, the Clarion-Ledger reported Wednesday. The seizure was part of an investigation on organized crime families that police say laundered money through the resorts. Police say 20 people were arrested.
Italian prosecutors say that two “‘ndrangheta” crime syndicate clans invested “illicit revenue” in the resorts.
Among those arrested include two Spanish businessmen that police say have a connection to "‘ndrangheta."
Prosecutors also say that a Belfast, Ireland-based developer was involved in the money laundering scheme, but it is not known whether he was arrested.
A court will have to decide the status of the seized resort and whether they will have to be sold off as part of a criminal legal judgement.
ABC News reports, “Italian prosecutor Nicola Gratteri told reporters in Reggio Calabria that two 'ndrangheta crime syndicate clans are believed to have invested illicit revenue in the resorts.”
USA Today reports that the siezed resorts include the Parco dei Principi hotel in the Calabrian town of Marinia di Gioiosa Jonica.
The total dollar amount that the resorts are worth is estimated at $600 million.
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