Neapolitan singer Vincenzo “Niko” Pandetta , 35, nephew of historic mafia boss Salvatore “Turi” Cappello, is on the list of 15 recipients of a precautionary custody order carried out by the Guardia di Finanza as part of an investigation by the Catania District Anti-Mafia Directorate dubbed “Operation Abyss” by investigators.
The investigation concerns alleged "narcotics trafficking aggravated by aiding and abetting two mafia clans," the Cappello-Bonaccorsi clan from Catania and the Santa Panagia clan from Syracuse. This is the first time the singer—defended by Cagliari lawyer Riccardo Floris—has been charged with mafia-related aggravation . According to the prosecution, Pandetta was the intermediary in several drug trafficking operations while already in prison. Intercepted video calls between members of the Cappello-Bonaccorsi clan are said to be implicating the charges.
In recent months, after his initial arrest, Pandetta was transferred to Uta prison for a live video call from his cell, later shown during the "One Day" concert, held on the night of May 1-2, 2025, at the Plaia in Catania, featuring trapper Baby Gang. "On Monday, during the preliminary hearing via video link from Prato prison, we will demonstrate Pandetta's innocence! He is the nephew of Turi Cappello, but he has never been a member of the clan of the same name, except on the basis of investigative suppositions! He is being implicated by a repentant he has never met!" stated attorney Floris.
