Italian police targeting Chinese criminal gangs launched dawn raids across the country yesterday and said they had broken up multibillion euro money-laundering operations while seizing illegal factories and other assets.
Operation Great China, led by the Guardia di Finanza tax police in Florence and involving some 1,000 officers, was the biggest of its kind to date. Seventeen Chinese and seven Italians were arrested while police seized more than 150 companies and properties, and 166 luxury cars from across Italy.
Charges levelled included mafia association, money laundering and tax evasion, as well as organising illegal immigration, clothing sweatshops and prostitution. Over 100 people were said to be under investigation.