Sicilian mafia bosses complain on wiretaps about lack of quality recruits, reminisce about ‘The Godfather’

The Cosa Nostra, Sicily’s notorious mafia, is facing a crisis as nearly 150 people associated with the group were arrested this week. Leaders within the organization have expressed frustration with the quality of new recruits, lamenting that they are not as loyal or skilled as they used to be.

Former Cosa Nostra boss Giancarlo Romano, who was killed in a shootout last year, was recorded in a wiretapped conversation expressing his disappointment. He longed for the days depicted in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film “The Godfather,” where loyalty and power were paramount. Romano bemoaned the current state of the organization, feeling that they were no longer the formidable force they once were.

The recent arrests in Sicily have dealt a blow to the Cosa Nostra, but Italian officials warn that the mafia is still a threat. Maurizio de Lucia, the chief prosecutor of Palermo, emphasized that the Cosa Nostra is adapting to modern technology, using encrypted apps to communicate and engage in criminal activities like online gambling.

Despite these challenges, the Italian Carabinieri police believe that the Cosa Nostra is far from dead. They point to the organization’s ability to recruit new members and explore new criminal ventures as signs of resilience. Domenico La Padula of the Carabinieri stated that the mafia has found “new energy and new strength” to continue their operations.

However, experts like John Dickie, author of “Mafia Republic: Italy’s Criminal Curse and Cosa Nostra,” believe that the Cosa Nostra is on the decline. Italian authorities have become adept at surveilling the mafia, thwarting their attempts to reorganize and rebuild. Dickie noted that the bosses themselves have acknowledged the challenges they face, admitting that the organization is not what it used to be.

Overall, the recent arrests signal a setback for the Cosa Nostra, forcing them to regroup and rebuild. It also highlights the ongoing strength of the Italian state in combating organized crime. Despite the mafia’s efforts to adapt and survive, the authorities remain vigilant and committed to dismantling criminal enterprises.