Action Targets Major Transnational Criminal Organization
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today
designated five key leaders of the Camorra, one of
Europe's largest criminal organizations, under its
authority to impose sanctions targeting transnational
organized crime. The Camorra is involved in money
laundering, extortion, alien smuggling, robbery,
blackmail, kidnapping, political corruption, and
counterfeiting around the world. It is one of four
transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) specifically
identified by the President for sanctions under E.O.
13581 (Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal
Organizations), along with the Brothers' Circle, the
Yakuza, and the Zetas. The Camorra leaders
designated today are Antonio Iovine, Michele Zagaria,
Mario Caterino, Paolo Di Mauro, and Giuseppe Dell'Aquila,
all leaders or senior members of Camorra clans. Each of
these five individuals is designated for acting for or on
behalf of, or providing support to, the Camorra.
President Obama identified the Camorra as a significant
TCO in the Annex to E.O. 13581 on July 24, 2011, and
charged the Treasury Department with pursuing additional
sanctions against its members and supporters. Drawing on
this authority, the Treasury Department is taking action
against the Camorra by identifying and designating these
five key leaders. Today's action freezes any assets they
may have within the jurisdiction of the United States and
prohibits any transactions with them by U.S. persons.
These efforts protect the U.S. financial system from
transnational criminal organizations and expose and
disrupt the actions of individuals who are supporting or
acting for or on behalf of the Camorra.
"This action is designed to squeeze the Camorra out of
the global financial system and protect the U.S.
financial system from laundering of its criminal
proceeds. We will continue to pursue members and
supporters of the Camorra, and today's action against the
group's leadership will help us cast an even larger net
to expose their financial facilitators and associates
wherever they may operate," said Under Secretary for
Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.
The Camorra operates internationally and is involved in
serious criminal activity, such as counterfeiting and
narcotics trafficking. In March 2012 more than a billion
dollars worth of Camorra assets reportedly were seized by
Italian law enforcement.
Mario Caterino is a Camorra clan leader, identified at
the time of his arrest in May 2011 as the second in
command of the Casalesi clan. He is serving a life
sentence in Italy for conspiracy and murder.
Giuseppe Dell'Aquila is described as the head of the
Mallardo clan. He is believed to have played a key role
in investing in and managing Camorra holding companies.
Arrested in Italy in May 2011, he is serving a sentence
for conspiracy, money laundering, robbery, and the
receipt of stolen goods.
Paolo di Mauro was the third most wanted fugitive in
Italy at the time of his arrest in Spain in January 2010.
He is a leader of the Contini clan and is currently
serving a 17-year sentence for conspiracy and murder.
Antonio Iovine is a leader of the Camorra's Casalesi
clan. He was arrested in November 2010 and is serving a
life sentence for conspiracy and murder.
Michele Zagaria is a leader of the Casalesi clan and was
captured by Italian authorities in December 2011 after 15
years as a fugitive. He is serving a life sentence
for conspiracy, murder, extortion, and robbery.
Identifying Information:
CATERINO, Mario
DOB: 14 June 1957
POB: Casal di Principe, Italy
DELL'AQUILA, Giuseppe
AKA: PEPPE 'O CIUCCIO
DOB: 20 March 1962
POB: Giugliano Campania, Italy
DI MAURO, Paolo
DOB: 19 October 1952
POB: Naples, Italy
IOVINE, Antonio
AKA: O'NINNO
DOB: 20 September 1964
POB: San Cipriano d'Aversa, Italy
ZAGARIA, Michele
AKA: CAPASTORTA
AKA: CAPOSTORTA
AKA: ISS
AKA: MANERA
AKA: ZIO
DOB: 21 May 1958
POB: San Cipriano d'Aversa, Italy
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