China’s Shadowy Hand: Mafia-Style Crackdown Sweeps Italy
A massive, coordinated operation targeting Chinese criminal clans has unfolded across 25 Italian provinces. The crackdown, announced Tuesday, August 5, 2025, involved simultaneous raids in major cities including Milan, Rome, Florence, Prato, and Catania.
The Interior Ministry issued a statement detailing the extensive nature of the operation. Authorities focused on dismantling networks employing mafia-like tactics, including intimidation and territorial control.
Andrea Olivadese, a representative from Italy’s anti-organised crime police, corroborated the ministry’s statement, highlighting the scale and significance of the operation. He emphasized the clans’ use of violent methods to maintain dominance.
This significant law enforcement action underscores the growing concern over the infiltration of organised crime syndicates within Italy’s economic landscape. The implications for bilateral relations between Italy and China, and the potential impact on trade and investment, remain to be seen.
