Modern Bonanno + Sicilian Mafia ties

[CabriniGreen]

The structure of families
A mafia increasingly in difficulty due to arrests and confiscations, but always ready to rise from the ashes. The top positions of the mafia mandates of Trapani and Alcamo - once again points out the DIA - are stably held by well-known members of the historic mafia families with an almost "dynastic" succession system. Castelvetrano continues to refer to Italy's most dangerous fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro. In Alcamo, on the other hand, the regencies of the mafia family have been handed down to the Melodia family and now, after the death of the last historical Alcamese godfather Ignazio "u dutturi" Melodia, the leadership hangs in the balance between old and new leaders who make their way to fill the seats left empty.

The situation of Mazara del Vallo's mandate appears to be more dynamic, the value of which in the balances of Cosa Nostra is traditionally significant having in the past represented one of the most important mafia joints for the affirmation of the Corleonese leadership. In Mazara, in fact, the issue of regency is going through a transition phase, not without tension, following the arrests that took place at the end of the "Year Zero" and "Eris" operations, which hit the top of the mandate last year. To these activities is added the operation "Scrigno", completed in March 2019, which documented the existence and operation also on the island of Favignana of a joint of Cosa Nostra hierarchically dependent on the mafia family of Trapani, whose chief was made aware of any dispute, for the consequent settlement or resolution. But not only. The transition phase also derives from the death of the historic mafia chief Mariano Agate, the boss sentenced to life imprisonment for the massacre of Capaci, for the murder of judge Giangiacomo Ciaccio Montalto and enrolled in the Masonic lodge Iside 2 (as it was registered in the same lodge the other boss castellammarese Mariano Asaro).

[CabriniGreen]

Castellammare still "bridge" for America
The DIA report for the first half of 2019, presented in Parliament by the Minister of the Interior Luciana Lamorgese, also mentions the strong role of the city of Castellammare del Golfo in the Sicilian chessboard, but above all internationally. A city historically considered "glue" between Sicily and America. “It is recalled that one of the five historic mafia families operating in New York originated from a country in the province, Castellammare del Golfo. Even in the absence of evidence of specific links in place, - the DIA agents write - the investigative activities in nearby Palermo have revealed renewed contacts between Cosa Nostra and similar US organizations ". The family in question is that of the Bonanno family, whose great boss was Joe "Banana" Bonanno, the powerful boss of the famous "Castellammarese War" which broke out in New York in 1930. Currently the regent of the Bonanno family is Michael Mancuso, released from prison in March of 2019. The last impressive anti-mafia operation in which reference is made directly to the ties between the Castellammare and American mafia dates back to 2014, called "New Bridge

[CabriniGreen]

But in the city of Castellammare del Golfo there are also other excellent prisoners, who have returned to freedom after serving their sentences, involved in various anti-mafia operations: Crimiso, Tempesta, Cemento del Golfo and others. Those mentioned are just some of the anti-mafia operations against the local mafia family recently carried out by the Carabinieri, Police and Finance. The last released in chronological order are Mariano Asaro (with an obligation to stay in Dattilo) and Mariano Saracino. Also in the city of Castellammare, the son of Don Tano Badalamenti, Leonardo also returned.

But the reference in the DIA's report to the city of Castellammare as "glue" with America, would also seem to refer to the latest anti-mafia operation that brought the boss of Sciacca Accursio Dimino to prison. In fact, the central role of some men from Castellammare, especially those who emigrated to the States, emerged in pursuing the interests of Cosa nostra also in the province of Agrigento.

The central role of the city of Castellammare in the mafia dynamics emerged also in 2002 from the declarations of the collaborator of justice Antonino Giuffrè: “... Trapani and in particular the town of Castellammare del Golfo represent one of the strongest areas of the mafia, not only because the less affected by the police, but above all because it is a point of reference not only for normal trafficking, such as drugs and weapons, but also a place where some components that revolve around the mafia meet. It is a meeting point for Freemasonry, but also for diverted secret services ".

[CabriniGreen]

Cocaine comes back central
"The mafia structures in the province of Trapani do not generally seem to seek external projections at a national and international level, despite the historical links with Cosa Nostra Americana and with the Camorra and the 'Ndrangheta's articulations" - reads the report. However, in the first half of last year there was an investigative activity which highlighted the ability of the Trapani mafia organization to also operate internationally. In fact, the Trapani mobile team, in the course of an investigation aimed at identifying a fugitive from Mazara (who was later captured in the following semester), established himself in the trafficking of cocaine as a broker operating between Northern Europe and South America , documented how he had organized and was coordinating, from Bolivia, a sea shipment of a large quantity of cocaine from Peru to Australia. The intervention of the French authorities in the waters of Polynesia, promoted by Italy, allowed in May last year to seize 436 kg of drugs and to arrest the two skippers of a sailboat and another person originating from Mazara del Vallo, known for having been in contact, in the past, with Mafia members and a Peruvian. Therefore, cocaine still seems to be a market of primary importance for the Trapani mafia

[CabriniGreen]

In conclusion, the figure of the red primula Matteo Messina Denaro, at the head of the mandate of Castelvetrano and at the top of the Trapani mafia, still constitutes the main point of reference for matters of greatest interest to the organization, despite the long absence. "U siccu" is therefore still the undisputed leader of the Trapani mafia. In fact, in several operations his role as "mediator" emerged to avoid conflicts, with a view to continuity with the season of the submergence started by the boss Bernardo Provenzano. "Although the boss continues to benefit from a widespread feeling of loyalty by many members of the Trapani mafia organization, - write from the DIA - there is no lack of signs of impatience on the part of some affiliates for a difficult command management due to the hiding that it tends to reverberate negatively, leaving out the important issues for the organization's affairs ”. Messina Danaro, pending his definitive "sunset", therefore, still remains the undisputed leader of the Trapani mafia.

[CabriniGreen]

Castellammare still "bridge" for America
The DIA report for the first half of 2019, presented in Parliament by the Minister of the Interior Luciana Lamorgese, also mentions the strong role of the city of Castellammare del Golfo in the Sicilian chessboard, but above all internationally. A city historically considered "glue" between Sicily and America. “It is recalled that one of the five historic mafia families operating in New York originated from a country in the province, Castellammare del Golfo. Even in the absence of evidence of specific links in place, - the DIA agents write - the investigative activities in nearby Palermo have revealed renewed contacts between Cosa Nostra and similar US organizations ". The family in question is that of the Bonanno family, whose great boss was Joe "Banana" Bonanno, the powerful boss of the famous "Castellammarese War" which broke out in New York in 1930. Currently the regent of the Bonanno family is Michael Mancuso, released from prison in March of 2019. The last impressive anti-mafia operation in which reference is made directly to the ties between the Castellammare and American mafia dates back to 2014, called "New Bridge

Unless I missed something, this is actually VERY off, right? New Bridge was the Ursinos on the Italian/European side, not the Castellemare cosa nostra, unless there has been some info withheld from the public.... this is interesting.....

Because we DO have Dimino meeting with Cali for some major business discussions.....hhhm....

[B.]

Excellent article.

In fact, the central role of some men from Castellammare, especially those who emigrated to the States, emerged in pursuing the interests of Cosa nostra also in the province of Agrigento.

This is fascinating and what's been made available through these investigations is that Castellammare and Sciacca are operating close together with confirmed affiliates in the US, so this isn't just a theory. That it connects to Salvatore Montagna, Frank Cali, Montreal, Castellammare, Agrigento, the NYC Bonannos, and the Gambino family seems like more than a coincidence.

- It mentions the Sicilian mafia getting involved in online betting in the US. So we have the Sicilian mafia getting involved in slot machines and online betting in the US and Canada, very interesting to see them focusing on gambling. As gambling has become more and more offshore, it makes sense that some overseas connections would develop.

- It says Castellammarese mafiosi Mariano Asaro and Mariano Saracino are out of prison. It has been pointed out before that Mariano Asaro is a distant cousin of the NYC Asaros, though I haven't confirmed. Vincent Asaro's great-grandfather Girolamo Asaro was involved with the mafia in Castellammare and NYC and Girolamo's father was named Mariano Asaro, who could be the common ancestor with today's Mariano Asaro.

- What's also incredible is that the NYC-based Sergio Gucciardi from Sciacca who was recently busted in Castellammare was surveilled by the FBI in 2013 at a Bonanno social club with Vincent Asaro. Asaro is American-born, but in addition to Capeci describing him as popular with the Bonanno Sicilian faction and using Sicilian phrases, Asaro's cousin Gasper Valenti said that Asaro was close to Cesare Bonventre and Baldo Amato, Bonanno members from Castellammare, and that Asaro spoke Sicilian with them.

- This could shed some light on the Bonanno "Sicilian faction" mentioned by Capeci. At the time it didn't make much sense given the Bonanno's large "zip" faction of the 1970s/80s faded from the picture, but these new connections to Sciacca and Castellammare could shed some light on the faction referred to by Capeci (which I think was right after Montagna left for Montreal). Can't ignore the fact that Salvatore Catalano is living in Ciminna during all of this and attended Frank Cali's mother's funeral in Sicily. So again we connect to Cali.

- Tano Badalamenti's son Leonardo is also free and living in Castellammare.

[CabriniGreen]

I've noticed, the Italian journalist make many mistakes like this when it comes to American LCN.

You know, having Lanni as boss, Palmieri as "an underboss", they often describe 18th ave as the Sicilian mafia stronghold in NY instead of a Gambino regime. ( That's an open question we can get into..)

Was Charlie Pepsi Castellemarese? Who would the Castellemarese be in New Bridge? Were there even Sicilians arrested? They really threw me for a loop with this one. We cant count it out though, because zmDimino DID know and have relations with Cali....

[CabriniGreen]

Excellent article.

In fact, the central role of some men from Castellammare, especially those who emigrated to the States, emerged in pursuing the interests of Cosa nostra also in the province of Agrigento.

This is fascinating and what's been made available through these investigations is that Castellammare and Sciacca are operating close together with confirmed affiliates in the US, so this isn't just a theory. That it connects to Salvatore Montagna, Frank Cali, Montreal, Castellammare, Agrigento, the NYC Bonannos, and the Gambino family seems like more than a coincidence.


I haven't always been the best at articulating it, but I've noticed these patterns for a couple years now. I know people see me as having a kinda tunnel vision, but this stuff is the most compelling material on the contemporary mafia in my opinion. And everything has a subplot, Montreal has the whole Bonnano/Violi angle, with Buffalo thrown in for good measure. Cali and the Inzerillos, and how it connects to Sicily and the Corleonesi. Gambinos and Bonnanos being hubs for intercontinental operations, emerging ndrangheta clans, Gambinos in Canada meeting with Italian crime families, the shit is dizzying really when you start to connect some of the dots, and especially with how far back all this goes to the 60s and 70s.....




- It mentions the Sicilian mafia getting involved in online betting in the US. So we have the Sicilian mafia getting involved in slot machines and online betting in the US and Canada, very interesting to see them focusing on gambling. As gambling has become more and more offshore, it makes sense that some overseas connections would develop.

They need territories, they are starting to take cues from the Calabrians.... Sicily has tremendous density for criminal operations. I'm not sure if there is sufficient economic vitality to accommodate 150 plus families.....


- It says Castellammarese mafiosi Mariano Asaro and Mariano Saracino are out of prison. It has been pointed out before that Mariano Asaro is a distant cousin of the NYC Asaros, though I haven't confirmed. Vincent Asaro's great-grandfather Girolamo Asaro was involved with the mafia in Castellammare and NYC and Girolamo's father was named Mariano Asaro, who could be the common ancestor with today's Mariano

I knew these names would jump off the page for you, lol

- What's also incredible is that the NYC-based Sergio Gucciardi from Sciacca who was recently busted in Castellammare was surveilled by the FBI in 2013 at a Bonanno social club with Vincent Asaro. Asaro is American-born, but in addition to Capeci describing him as popular with the Bonanno Sicilian faction and using Sicilian phrases, Asaro's cousin Gasper Valenti said that Asaro was close to Cesare Bonventre and Baldo Amato, Bonanno members from Castellammare, and that Asaro spoke Sicilian with them.

This could be a clue as to why he was put on the administration, despite not being a big earner. Then again, they might just be scared of him, lol he seems crazy as hell....


- This could shed some light on the Bonanno "Sicilian faction" mentioned by Capeci. At the time it didn't make much sense given the Bonanno's large "zip" faction of the 1970s/80s faded from the picture, but these new connections to Sciacca and Castellammare could shed some light on the faction referred to by Capeci (which I think was right after Montagna left for Montreal). Can't ignore the fact that Salvatore Catalano is living in Ciminna during all of this and attended Frank Cali's mother's funeral in Sicily. So again we connect to Cali.

Yes, Cali is the ghost who was everywhere......

- Tano Badalamenti's son Leonardo is also free and living in Castellammare.

I wonder if he got the same treatment of reconciliation as the Inzerillos, also if he has any high ranking status...

[CabriniGreen]

@ B.
What's your take on Montagna making his bones in Sicily?

[scagghiuni]

- Tano Badalamenti's son Leonardo is also free and living in Castellammare.

vito badalamenti lives in sicily, leonardo is in brazil

[scagghiuni]

I've noticed, the Italian journalist make many mistakes like this when it comes to American LCN.

in italy journalists know very little about american lcn and even the organized crime experts as saviano doesn't know so much

[B.]

The article said Leonardo Badalamenti lives in Castellammare now, so I was just reiterating that. Obviously I have no personal knowledge of where members of the Sicilian mafia live.

With Lanni, I believe they called him a "capo" in the original Italian article. In America, that has come to mean "captain", but in the traditional Sicilian mafia it means "boss". I took that as a translation error.

You're right that Italian media has trouble covering the American side, but of course the American media struggles equally to describe Sicily / Italy accurately.

--

I have no idea about Sal Montagna "making his bones" anywhere. As far as I know, he was a teenager when he came to the US. We don't know the extent of his family's connections (even just friendship) with mafia figures in Sicily (or Montreal for that matter), but he gravitated toward fellow Castellammarese Baldo Amato as a young man, his family was close to the fellow Castellammarese Calabros whose son became a Colombo member, and he apparently fell under Gerlando Sciascia at some point. Now we know his brother Franco traveled to Sicily with a Castellammarese mafia figure (no indication on Stefano Turriciano's membership, though Vito Turriciano is def a member) while Montagna was acting boss.

Montagna hasn't been connected to any murders prior to leaving NYC that I'm aware of. It is possible he was part of the Anthony Seccafico murder conspiracy in 2009 given Montagna was deported a short time later and the plan may have been in motion earlier. Seccafico also came from the same crew as Montagna. For someone who may have never participated directly in a murder before his deportation, mafia warfare seems to have come natural to Montagna though we know he didn't win in the end.

Speaking of Dino Calabro, there was a modern Castellammarese mafia leader with the surname Calabro. Frank Fiordilino, whose uncles were important Bonanno members and who had other relatives in the Sicilian mafia, said that Dino Calabro is his cousin. JD told me that Sal Vitale also believed Calabro was a cousin of Sal Montagna, though later he clarified he simply knew their fathers to be close. Not only did Calabro not end up with the Bonannos, as you'd expect, but he chose one of the least Sicilian modern families, so we can see where Sicilian connections played very little role in his mafia career. Sicilian connections on the other hand look to have played a major role in Montagna's story.

[CabriniGreen]

A little more info on Dimino, apparently he was active as a fish trader, and was a Gym teacher, in between trying to control public works contracts and the Hotel sector, go figure lol


https://www.agrigentonotizie.it/cronaca ... cosia.html

[CabriniGreen]

A little more info as far as Dimino's criminal operations....

I find it interesting, Dimino didnt think he needed an " Apprenticeship"? Does he mean with the Americans?

This to me is similar to Nicolo Rizzutos attitude, and the Sicilians who emigrated to Canada.....

I'm also trying to understand, I think he wants a territory in America that can provide a steady stream of revenue. This 10,000 a week? Did I read this correctly?

https://meridionews.it/articolo/82881/i ... e-nicosia/