Italy: 27 arrested in 'Ndrangheta sweep

Twenty seven alleged 'Ndrangheta mafia clan members were arrested in an early morning drug bust in Catanzaro in Italy's Southern Calabria region.

The individuals have been arrested on charges of international drug trafficking , extortion, falsifying ownership of property, money laundering and mafia association.

The group has specifically been accused of transporting tonnes of cocaine between South America, Australia and Europe via Colombian drug traffickers.

As part of the bust, carabinieri impounded three auto transport companies allegedly under mafia control.

Italian authorities seized suspected mafia assets worth 15 billion euros from January to November 2010, a three-fold increase over the same period of 2009, interior minister Roberto Maroni announced on Tuesday.