Italy arrests scores of Calabrian mafia suspects


Italian police have launched mass raids against suspected mafia members in the southern region of Calabria.

At least 300 people have been arrested on suspicion of a number of crimes, including murder, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organisation.

The operation also involved arrests in the US, according to reports.

The Calabrian mafia, known as 'Ndrangheta, is one of Italy's major criminal organisations.

The operation involved 3,000 officers and is the largest carried out by police in recent years, local media said.

Analysts say the group has expanded out of its Calabrian heartland to play a major role in organised crime throughout Europe, and in the international drugs trade from South America.