Mafia thriving in Italy and beyond

An annual report on the state of the Italian economy says one of the country's oldest industries - the mafia - is now its largest.The latest figures show organised crime is soaring, with a turnover above £60 billion a year.Organised crime syndicates account for 7 per cent of Italy's gross domestic product.Twenty per cent of Italian businesses are said to pay protection money.Author and mafia expert Dr John Dickie said the mafia's reach even extends to Britain.He said: "One of the things that these organisations do is make it impossible for businesses to exist in southern Italy without paying protection money. And of course they come over here selling drugs - so yes, we should care."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | October 23, 2007

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