The Carabinieri also said Cosa Nostra continued to attract young people, documenting an example of one new recruit being given "mafia lessons" by an older associate.
'Historic blow' to Sicilian mafia after more than 180 arrests Italian police have arrested 181 people in a crackdown on the Sicilian mafia.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said several alleged mafia bosses were among those arrested and described the sting as a "very hard blow to Cosa Nostra".
"The young man was allegedly 'taken in charge' by a suspect who offered him specific instructions, inviting him to take his own example in acting towards people to be subjected to extortion, as well as advising him on how to relate to the mafia leaders," police said.
Police said Palermo's mafia families were still coordinating their activities across the city and its province like they used to in the heyday of Cosa Nostra.
