Italy's biggest mafia trial takes place in a tunnel, 2200 years in prison for 200 'Ndrangheta members

Over 200 members of the Ndragheta criminal organization have been sentenced to a total of more than 2,200 years in prison, following the conclusion of one of the largest mafia trials in Italian history, which was held in a tunnel.

The three-year trial involved mobsters, businessmen and politicians under investigation accused of murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion.

More than 300 defendants have gone on trial since January 2021, accused of being members of the criminal organization that controls 80% of Europe's cocaine trade and has an annual turnover of €59 billion.

Since withdrawing on October 16 to review their decisions, the three judges overseeing the case have been living in a safe house under police protection.

Some 67 defendants who were part of the original indictment have already been found guilty, having opted for a speedy trial, while more than 80 defendants have been found not guilty.

Special forces and elite units cracked down on the 'Ndrangheta in December 2019, with around 3,000 officers raiding 12 Italian regions and also making arrests in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria. Millions of euros in property and cash were seized, while 300 suspects were arrested.

The chief prosecutor leading the major investigation was Nicola Gratteri, who organized the construction of a bunker courtroom to conduct the historic trial.

Gratteri, who is Italy's most famous Anti-Mafia prosecutor, has been living under police protection for 34 years. At the start of the hearing, he told Sky News that he was not intimidated by the numerous death threats and assassination plots against him. (A2 Televizion)