Greco Mafia clan
The Greco Mafia family (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɡrɛːko]) is historically one of the most influential Mafia clans in Sicily and Calabria, from the late 19th century. The extended family ruled both in Ciaculli and Croceverde Giardini, two south-eastern outskirts of Palermo in the citrus growing area and also rural areas of Calabria where they controlled the olive oil market. Members of the family were important figures in the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and Calabrian 'Ndrangheta. Salvatore "Ciaschiteddu" Greco was the first ‘secretary’ of the Sicilian Mafia Commission, while Michele Greco, also known as The Pope, was one of his successors.
Mafia boss Giuseppe Greco, also known as "Piddu u tinenti" (Piddu the lieutenant) | |
| Founded | Late 19th century |
|---|---|
| Named after | Greco family |
| Founding location | Ciaculli and Croceverde Giardini, two south-eastern outskirts of Palermo |
| Years active | Decline in the 2000s but still active with a very strong influence |
| Territory | Ciaculli and Croceverde Giardini, two south-eastern outskirts of Palermo and Calabria Dasà |
| Ethnicity | Sicilian/Calabrian |
| Membership | Sicilian Mafia |
| Activities | Palermo wholesale market; Gioua Taurio Port racket (1950s); cigarette smuggling and heroin trafficking; money laundering |
| Allies | Uneasy alliance with the Corleonesi (Second Mafia War 1981-1983) |
| Rivals | Acquasanta Mafia clan (Palermo wholesale market war in the mid 1950s) La Barbera brothers (First Mafia War in the early 1960s) |
| Notable members | Giuseppe Greco, aka "Piddu u tinenti" (Piddu the lieutenant) Salvatore "Ciaschiteddu" Greco Salvatore "The Engineer" Greco Michele Greco aka The Pope Salvatore "The Senator" Greco |
According to the pentito Antonio Calderone "the Grecos effectively exercised power in the whole of Sicily." According to Giovanni Brusca the Greco family was very important and the ones who tipped the balance in every internal Mafia war.