90 Mafia suspects arrested in raids in Europe and South America

Ninety people with suspected links to the 'Ndrangheta Mafia, considered Italy's strongest organized crime group, have been arrested in raids in several European and South American countries, Italian police said on Wednesday.

Those arrested are accused of various crimes, including Mafia membership, drug trafficking and laundering of assets from criminal sources, according to a statement.

The raids took place early Wednesday, spanning locations in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and South America.

The European judicial authority Eurojust led the international operation, under the code name "Pollino."

Eurojust said the operation was the result of years of intensive investigative work that began in 2016, orchestrated throughout Europe.

The 'Ndrangheta hails from Calabria, the region that forms the tip of Italy's boot, and has made substantial inroads in Germany. It is considered Europe's leading smuggler of cocaine.

The raids in Germany took place in the southern state of Bavaria and North Rhine Westphalia to the west, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) said.

German tabloid Bild reported that more than 100 locations were raided, including pizzerias.

Eurojust plans to give more information on the operation at a press conference in The Hague at 12 pm (1100 GMT), with a further press conference scheduled by the BKA for 3 pm (1400 GMT).