12/04/2023

We’ve always said this and now it is confirmed by those who every day are committed to fighting organised crime: Gianmauro Cipolletta, commander of the Carabinieri unit of Paternò, province of Catania, states without hesitation that clandestine horse racing is a widespread phenomenon in Sicily that is criminally motivated.

“In the last year 26 people were reported to the authorities, eight of whom are either associated with the mafia or have a mafia record, and eight horses have been seized.  Administrative offences have been charged for 73 thousand euros.  The alleged offences are varied, starting from animal abuse, which we contest when we find stables with horses that have been mistreated or have been given doping substances, or are still without a microchip. On the other hand, when we manage to stop a clandestine race, the offence concerned is that of illegal animal combat” - says Captain Cipolletta, who also explains the magnitude of the illegal betting industry-. “During the last race we found that the betting ring amounted to 200,000 euros, which are divided among the organisers: clandestine races are an emblem of territorial control and also a form of reinvestment of illegally obtained money. Interest extends across all mafia clans, from the Santapaola-Ercolano to the Laudani"

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