Police in southern Italy on Wednesday arrested 14 Calabrian mafia suspects in an operation against clan bosses in and around the city of Lamezia Terme.
The suspects face charges of mafia association, murder, extortion and arms trafficking, police said.
"Investigations have shown the suspects were extensively involved in extortion against local businesses, " said police statement.
"They also revealed a deal agreed between the Iannazzo and Giampa clan bosses to divide up earnings from the local extortion racket," it said.
The suspects were behind the 2003 murders of two rival that formed part of a "criminal strategy" to give the Iannazzo and Cannizzaro-Daponte clans sole control of the Lamezia Terme area, especially the extortion racket, by eliminating rival clan leaders, according to police.
Drug trafficking, extortion and money-laundering rackets have in recent decades made the 'Ndrangheta Italy's wealthiest and most powerful international crime syndicate.
It operates throughout Italy and overseas and its influence and networks extend from northern Europe to Australia and North and South America.
