A maxi preventive seizure, worth 50 million euros - a capital made up of properties, company compendia, current accounts, vehicles and luxury goods, including a pleasure boat - was carried out by the carabinieri against the most famous building contractor of Molfetta, Giuseppe Manganelli.
The provision was issued by the Preventive Measures Office of the Bari court.
According to the investigations, the man - in the past convicted of robbery, criminal association aimed at drug trafficking and extortion - would have built his empire by accumulating and concealing large sums of money that would have been, for various reasons, obtained through drug trafficking and extortion activities dating back to to the 1990s, to which a forward-looking investment strategy would be added.
Based on what has been reconstructed, starting from 2011 the now 52-year-old entrepreneur would have started to set up, also thanks to some figureheads, the first companies that, by accumulating income, would have given him the opportunity, over the years, to justify the creation of new and more ambitious business projects in construction but also in the fuel distribution sector.
For the investigators it would be "Chinese boxes" to conceal the illicit origin of his financial wealth.
"An applause to the judiciary and the police for today's action to protect legality. This is tangible proof that the state and institutions work daily against all forms of illegality", commented the mayor of Molfetta, Tommaso Minervini .
"Other investigations are underway for the other episodes that have occurred in recent weeks and will soon ensure justice" adds the mayor, with reference to the recent fires and arson attacks in companies and construction sites in the city.
(Unioneonline / vl)