Page 150 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

hon. ermete realacci

Indeed, in the past, before the Decree Ronchi bis, the “product diversifi-
cation strategy” of camorra and mafia towards waste disposal was supported
also by the fact that they could have high profits for low risks. For example,
taking into account the same profit, managing a delivery of cocaine meant seve-
re penalties, whereas with the waste disposal “business” the legal case was con-
sidered of second level, also according to the perception of public opinion.

When back then, for example, we used to go to those areas of Campania
affected by this phenomenon, we realised that the local response to this issues
was rather weak: people did not perceive the danger and did not have awareness
of how serious the crime was. The association “Legambiente” (League for the
Protection of the Environment), a few years before 1994, attempted, with no
success, to join a civil claim to the max criminal proceeding in Palermo Court
as they had sensed a crux in the whole matter: tackling the criminal organisa-
tions’ activities in the sector on environment, such as the cement cycle, quarries,
waste disposal management, was an important part in the fight for legality.

Based on the reports issued by Legambiente in cooperation with the
Police Forces, today “ecomafia” has a turnover of about 20 billion Euros.

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