01x05 - Italy and the UK

[bunniefuu]

REPORTER: Hundreds of
alleged members

REPORTER: Hundreds of
alleged members

of Italy's most powerful
Mafia group, The 'Ndrangheta,

are being prosecuted.

REPORTER 2: There is a reason
why this is called a maxi-trial.

REPORTER 2: There is a reason
why this is called a maxi-trial.

ROSS KEMP: In 2021,
sentencing began

In one of the biggest Mafia trials
in history.

In one of the biggest Mafia trials
in history.

REPORTER 3: In all,


to a total of 2,200 years
behind bars.

to a total of 2,200 years
behind bars.

The trial,
which has lasted for three years,

The trial,
which has lasted for three years,

heard evidence of m*rder,
corruption, extortion,

and money laundering.

- [speaking Italian]

- [speaking Italian]

KEMP: The accused were from

the most notorious branch
of the Mafia,

the most notorious branch
of the Mafia,

the 'Ndrangheta.

- 'Ndrangheta is very, very strong.

'Ndrangheta international,
very, very strong.

'Ndrangheta international,
very, very strong.

- They know how to make money,
and they have money.

Silence is their power.

REPORTER:
Even with mass convictions,

many question how much
the 'Ndrangheta's influence

will diminish. The Mafia
can do business from behind bars.

will diminish. The Mafia
can do business from behind bars.

KEMP: Before the trial,
the main prosecutor was quoted

as saying that: "The 'Ndrangheta's
interests in the UK

have figured prominently,
as clans have used the country

as an investment
and money-laundering base."

If that proved to be the case,

If that proved to be the case,

it could change what we know
about the Mafia and Britain.

[sombre music]

The Mafia, historically,
is a hierarchical,

The Mafia, historically,
is a hierarchical,

structured organised crime group
from southern Italy.

But what exactly
is its relationship with Britain?

I've travelled around the world
to try and find out.

I've travelled around the world
to try and find out.

- I took him apart in there,
wound up on that kerb right there.

KEMP: From the glitz and glamour
of London's casinos in the 1960s,

which attracted the American Mob...

- Carlo Gambino.

- Carlo Gambino.

- You met John Gotti?
- Yes.

- Big members of The Five Families.
- Big.

KEMP: .. to the Colombian
drug-trafficking operation

in the '80s and '90s,

in the '80s and '90s,

which fuelled a cocaine epidemic
across Europe and the UK.

- 300, 400, 500 kilos
in one airplane.

- 300, 400, 500 kilos
in one airplane.

KEMP: My journey took me to Italy,

to discover more about
a powerful wing of the Mafia,

to discover more about
a powerful wing of the Mafia,

the 'Ndrangheta...

..which in recent years has risen
to become

..which in recent years has risen
to become

one of
the most influential Mafia groups.

Just how rich and powerful are they?

- The ill*gal business,
we can only guess.

- The ill*gal business,
we can only guess.

It's about 50 billion euros.
It could be twice as much.

KEMP: And a former member
has revealed

what he believes is
their connection to Britain.

To truly understand the extent
of the 'Ndrangheta's operation,

I'm heading to their heartland
in southern Italy.

I'm heading to their heartland
in southern Italy.

I'm just about to enter Calabria,

one of the poorest regions
in Europe.

one of the poorest regions
in Europe.

Historically, its mountains
were home to bandits and kidnappers,

the ancestral home

of one of the world's most powerful
organised crime groups.

of one of the world's most powerful
organised crime groups.

Since the 19th century,

Since the 19th century,

the small town of Plati has been
an 'Ndrangheta stronghold.

They have found their strength

They have found their strength

in their ability to rely on
traditional family loyalties,

and a code of silence.

While not everyone who lives there
is a member,

Plati is still home
to many of the bosses.

Wow! It's not a bad view
to have from your office.

- Sí.

KEMP: Maresciallo Di Gioia
is head of the police station

KEMP: Maresciallo Di Gioia
is head of the police station

in Plati.

This must be one of the most
sensitive police stations

This must be one of the most
sensitive police stations

in the whole of Italy.
- Sí.

- So they'll know that we're here?
- Sure.

- So they'll know that we're here?
- Sure.

- Really?

They know everything.

It's unnerving,
though not surprising,

It's unnerving,
though not surprising,

to know that the 'Ndrangheta
are watching us.

Traditionally, they have specialised
in numerous criminal enterprises,

Traditionally, they have specialised
in numerous criminal enterprises,

including kidnapping,
drug-trafficking

and money laundering.

So this house, right?

The marshal is taking me
to the former safehouse

of one of
the 'Ndrangheta's top bosses.

of one of
the 'Ndrangheta's top bosses.

Can we go in?

[dog barks]

A few years ago,
the police raided the property.

A few years ago,
the police raided the property.

So there is an electronic switch
in this house

that opens up a trapdoor?

Can you show me the entrance?

Can you show me the entrance?

Just take my coat for me,
and my hat. Thank you.

Just take my coat for me,
and my hat. Thank you.

There we go.

Oh, it is tight, isn't it? [exhales]

Here we go. [exhales]

Oh, wow.

Yeah, there is a bunker down here.

So how many houses do you think
in this village have bunkers?

There's a large room,
and off that large room

There's a large room,
and off that large room

there are separate tunnels.

But it's a tight squeeze.

[exhales]

In a hurry,
it wouldn't really matter

In a hurry,
it wouldn't really matter

whether you bashed yourself,

cos you wouldn't want to get caught
by you lot.

Some of the 'Ndrangheta's bunkers
have boasted luxury bedrooms,

running water, jacuzzis,
and security cameras.

Grazie.

And since members of the 'Ndrangheta
are nearly always connected

And since members of the 'Ndrangheta
are nearly always connected

by blood, very few have ever talked
or become pentiti,

literally 'a repentant.'

literally 'a repentant.'

Pentiti turn against
their organised crime group

to collaborate with the authorities.

On one occasion, a Mafia boss
was in hiding for 14 years

before being discovered.

REPORTER: This video shows
the arrest of an alleged Mafia boss

REPORTER: This video shows
the arrest of an alleged Mafia boss

who specialised in extortion.

[siren wails]

- How many tunnels
do you think there are in this town?

- How many tunnels
do you think there are in this town?

So effectively, this town
is like a piece of Swiss cheese:

So effectively, this town
is like a piece of Swiss cheese:

it's got tunnels
all the way through it.

So you can cross town,
without being seen.

- Sí, sí.

- Sí, sí.

KEMP: From small rural towns
in Calabria riddled with tunnels,

KEMP: From small rural towns
in Calabria riddled with tunnels,

the 'Ndrangheta
became a major international force.

Today they're estimated to operate

Today they're estimated to operate

a large part of
Europe's cocaine trade,

and they're thought to be worth
around $72 billion.

and they're thought to be worth
around $72 billion.

But are they operating in Britain?

In 2021, one of Italy's
largest court trials began

here in Calabria.

[Italian]

[Italian]

REPORTER: The trial,
which has lasted for three years,

REPORTER: The trial,
which has lasted for three years,

heard evidence of m*rder,
corruption, extortion,

and money laundering.

KEMP: Before the trial,

KEMP: Before the trial,

an Italian prosecutor
accused the 'Ndrangheta

of funnelling money
through companies in Britain.

of funnelling money
through companies in Britain.

- I remember a merchant banker
in the City of London

telling me
that he loved to handle Mafia money.

KEMP: It was
an extraordinary accusation.

I've managed to contact
a Mafia prosecutor

working in this region
to find out more.

Testament to how dangerous it is
to be a prosecutor here in Calabria

Testament to how dangerous it is
to be a prosecutor here in Calabria

is the fact that we're not allowed
to film going into their building

behind me. It also only has
one way in,

and that's over a moat
that's 20 metres deep.

and that's over a moat
that's 20 metres deep.

ROSS KEMP: I'm investigating
Britain's links to the Mafia.

I'm now in Calabria
in the south of Italy,

the ancestral home
of the 'Ndrangheta,

a powerful and dominant branch
of the Mafia.

a powerful and dominant branch
of the Mafia.

Prosecutor.

Giuseppe Lombardo
is the state prosecutor here,

Giuseppe Lombardo
is the state prosecutor here,

and he and his team have been
investigating the 'Ndrangheta

for the last 26 years.

for the last 26 years.

When your life is at risk every day,

why do you come to work?

Why do you do what you do?

Why do you do what you do?

How far
do you think their power stretches?

That's more money
than major corporations can make.

Where does that cash go?

Where does that cash go?

How do you legitimise
that amount of money?

London? London?

London?
- London.

- Why particularly London?

What's attractive
about the City of London?

What's attractive
about the City of London?

If that's true, just how aware
were the British authorities

of this alleged criminal connection,
and what are they doing about it?

of this alleged criminal connection,
and what are they doing about it?

I've discovered
that over 30 years ago,

at the behest
of the Italian government,

Scotland Yard sent a detective
to Rome

Scotland Yard sent a detective
to Rome

to investigate the UK's relationship
with the Mafia.

So I'm heading to meet him.

So I'm heading to meet him.

Gus.
- Oh, hi.

- Good to meet you.
- Really pleased meet you too.

KEMP: Gus Jones
was a detective

KEMP: Gus Jones
was a detective

working in the Organised Crime
division in London

when he received a new posting.

Gus, when did you come to Italy?

- First came here late 1990.

- Specifically looking at the Mafia,
yeah?

- Yeah. Our knowledge
of Italian organised crime

and Italian enforcement agencies
was pretty minimal in the UK.

and Italian enforcement agencies
was pretty minimal in the UK.

- Right.
- I think I met Judge Falcone,

it'd be the spring of early 1990.

KEMP: In the 1980s and early '90s,

the leading anti-Mafia prosecutor
was Giovanni Falcone.

the leading anti-Mafia prosecutor
was Giovanni Falcone.

REPORTER: Falcone and Borsellino
did more to damage the Mafia

than anyone since the w*r.

than anyone since the w*r.

KEMP: Now I'm hearing

that he and fellow prosecutor
Paolo Borsellino

were on the trail of Mafia money
in the UK.

were on the trail of Mafia money
in the UK.

- We organised the contacts for him,
in the Channel Islands and Guernsey

in particular.
- Tax havens.

in particular.
- Tax havens.

- Tax havens, yeah.
No-one could put a figure on it,

but you're talking multi-millions,
not billions of... it was lira then,

but you're talking multi-millions,
not billions of... it was lira then,

of course, coming through London
and going to various sources.

- So Falcone was aware
that there was a connection

between Mafia money

between Mafia money

made from drugs in Italy...
- Correct.

.. and laundering in the UK?
- Exactly.

KEMP: Falcone had become a thorn
in the Sicilian Mafia's side.

KEMP: Falcone had become a thorn
in the Sicilian Mafia's side.

- I saw him in a meeting
here in Rome.

I went to speak to him, and he said:
"The message is going out:

I went to speak to him, and he said:
"The message is going out:

I'm becoming too effective,
causing too much trouble,

and my time is up."

- He said that?
- Yes.

KEMP: Just two weeks later,
Falcone was assassinated.

KEMP: Just two weeks later,
Falcone was assassinated.

REPORTER: The Falcone b*mb
was a ruthless demonstration

REPORTER: The Falcone b*mb
was a ruthless demonstration

of the Mafia's military might.

KEMP: Not long
before Falcone's death,

KEMP: Not long
before Falcone's death,

Gus had been collaborating
with his Italian counterparts

on a confidential report.

He submitted his findings to London.

He submitted his findings to London.

- We prepared a thing called
the Rome Report, which is entitled:

'The Mafia and why it matters
to us.'

One of the main conclusions
in our report

is in the field of money laundering,
that the Italians believed that we,

the United Kingdom,
have the most cause for concern,

the United Kingdom,
have the most cause for concern,

and the monies being generated
had been passing through London,

offshore, and into property
and businesses.

offshore, and into property
and businesses.

We were trying to make people aware
as to the dangers

we'd suffer as a result of Italian
organised crime's activities.

we'd suffer as a result of Italian
organised crime's activities.

KEMP: Gus' Rome Report
documented evidence

of alleged dirty money
from the Mafia infiltrating Britain.

of alleged dirty money
from the Mafia infiltrating Britain.

So how far did it go?

- It went to the Foreign Secretary,
the Home Secretary.

- It went to the Foreign Secretary,
the Home Secretary.

- And did we take it seriously?

- Very few people did.
If you spoke to anyone then,

and probably now, and mentioned it,
what the situation is,

and probably now, and mentioned it,
what the situation is,

they'd say, "No idea
what you're talking about."

KEMP: Gus believes his copy
of this report

is one of the few that remain.

is one of the few that remain.

- It's still very relevant.
It's far worse.

- Basically, that report you wrote


is even more relevant now.
- Correct.

is even more relevant now.
- Correct.

- But people remain ignorant of it?
- Exactly.

We're still in denial.
We were in denial then.

It worked with some, but not many.

It worked with some, but not many.

KEMP: According to Gus, the report
may not have been taken seriously

by the British government
of the day,

by the British government
of the day,

but when it was leaked
to a newspaper,

the Mafia took it very seriously.

For you personally, Gus,

what happened
when the report was leaked?

what happened
when the report was leaked?

- Named me. And my son,
he was going to school.

He came back upstairs and said,
"Dad, I've found three b*ll*ts

He came back upstairs and said,
"Dad, I've found three b*ll*ts

on our doorstep."

- How old was he?
- He was 11.

And of course, there are...
my family has three members:

me, my wife and my son.
- Pretty clear message, isn't it?

me, my wife and my son.
- Pretty clear message, isn't it?

- Clear message,
but that's exactly what happened.

KEMP: Although the Rome Report

KEMP: Although the Rome Report

was investigating
the Sicilian Mafia,

in the 30 years
since Gus left Italy,

it is the 'Ndrangheta wing
of the Mafia

it is the 'Ndrangheta wing
of the Mafia

that has expanded global operations.

- They are now the power,
especially with cocaine trafficking.

- They are now the power,
especially with cocaine trafficking.

Not just Europe or Italy, worldwide,
they control it. And of course,

that generates even more money,
huge amounts of money.

- There's no point earning
lots of money

- There's no point earning
lots of money

unless you can actually spend it.
- Exactly. A huge percentage

goes through London.

KEMP: Gus believes that Britain
has been laundering money

for many years.

If that's true,
how is it getting there?

If that's true,
how is it getting there?

- I never got stopped.
I never, ever got looked at.

- I never got stopped.
I never, ever got looked at.

Straight away straight through.

ROSS KEMP: On a recent trip to Italy
I was told that by the 1990s

ROSS KEMP: On a recent trip to Italy
I was told that by the 1990s

Britain had become
a possible location

Britain had become
a possible location

to launder Mafia money.

[Italian]

London?
- London.

KEMP: But if that's the case,
how did large amounts of cash

make it across the border?

I'm hoping that a bizarre news story

about a British-Italian housewife
from Lancashire

might give me some answers.

In 1994, Marisa Merico,

a mother of two, was jailed
for laundering ill*gal money

a mother of two, was jailed
for laundering ill*gal money

here in the UK.

She's now out of prison
and living in Britain,

She's now out of prison
and living in Britain,

and willing to talk to me.

- Hi, hi!
- How are you?

- Good, thank you.

- Good, thank you.

KEMP: Marisa Merico is the daughter

of one of Italy's
most notorious Mafia godfathers,

of one of Italy's
most notorious Mafia godfathers,

Emilio Di Giovine.

- My mother is from here.
- Oh, right.

- A northern girl.
And then she went to Italy.

- A northern girl.
And then she went to Italy.

She was an au pair out there,
and that's where she met my dad,

and I came along in 1970.

and I came along in 1970.

KEMP: Her parents' separation

would lead to
an extraordinary double life,

with Marisa
living between Lancashire and Milan.

with Marisa
living between Lancashire and Milan.

Very nice house.
- Thank you.

I feel very lucky to be here.

I feel very lucky to be here.

- In many ways?
- Yeah.

There's been quite dangerous times
in my life,

especially when I got married.
- What? Why, when you got married?

especially when I got married.
- What? Why, when you got married?

- Cos there was two bike riders
waiting at my wedding

to sh**t my dad. They were ready.
- Sicarios?

It could have been a bloodbath,
my wedding.

It could have been a bloodbath,
my wedding.

I was about three months pregnant
at the time when I got married too.

KEMP: Having served
two life sentences,

KEMP: Having served
two life sentences,

Emilio Di Giovine has now retired
from his former life.

- This is my dad. Papa!
- Eh. Oh, sorry.

- This is my dad. Papa!
- Eh. Oh, sorry.

- Hello. I'm Ross.

- Hi.
- [she laughs]

KEMP: Emilio is now
working as a chef in Italy,

KEMP: Emilio is now
working as a chef in Italy,

and has flown over to meet me.

Effectively, your dad was a boss
inside the 'Ndrangheta, correct?

Effectively, your dad was a boss
inside the 'Ndrangheta, correct?

- Yeah, that's right.

And everybody looked up to him,
everybody had respect.

So they treated me a bit different,
I guess.

So they treated me a bit different,
I guess.

Yeah.

- Any guy that came near
your daughter, that'd be a no-no.

- Any guy that came near
your daughter, that'd be a no-no.

Marisa's grandmother,
Maria Serraino,

known as Granny Heroin,

known as Granny Heroin,

ran a notorious Mafia clan
with her son, Emilio.

They were the bosses
of a hugely profitable

They were the bosses
of a hugely profitable

drug-trafficking operation
based in Milan.

Aged just 17, Marisa moved to Italy

Aged just 17, Marisa moved to Italy

to join the family business.

- I got involved, little by little,
because I was clean,

with an English passport.
- A very handy thing to have.

with an English passport.
- A very handy thing to have.

- Oh, yeah. I used to be able to go
through airports, get past anything

because I looked so innocent.
- What were you actually doing?

because I looked so innocent.
- What were you actually doing?

- I was taking money

to pay for the shipments
of the cannabis.

to pay for the shipments
of the cannabis.

I used to like big, Bridget Jones
knickers, that's what you call them.

- Right
- And stuff all the money

all round, like this.
- Yeah, yeah.

all round, like this.
- Yeah, yeah.

- To the point
where it wouldn't look suspicious.

- How much were you carrying?

- 150,000, more.

- 150,000, more.

I was quite slim.
- FATHER: 150,000.

And I could... I could fit
quite a lot. I never got stopped.

I never, ever got looked at.

I never, ever got looked at.

KEMP: Marisa
made the perfect money mule.

No-one suspected her, which was
great for the family business.

No-one suspected her, which was
great for the family business.

A week?
- A week, yeah.

- Wow!
- He was supplying nine countries.

- Wow!
- He was supplying nine countries.

- But when you're making
that kind of cash,

you've got to clean it somehow.

And it wasn't a problem
laundering it?

In Switzerland,
Emilio and Marisa's Mafia family

In Switzerland,
Emilio and Marisa's Mafia family

deposited millions of pounds
of drug money

into various banks
and other businesses.

into various banks
and other businesses.

- We had an accountant
that made us shareholders of,

I think... waterworks shareholders.

We had a leather factory.

We had a leather factory.

You know, we just invested
a lot of money into that,

just laundered it like that.

- So you've gone from being
in Lancashire

- So you've gone from being
in Lancashire

to owning a waterworks treatment
and a leather factory,

and transporting 150,000...
- Above.

and transporting 150,000...
- Above.

..in your knickers?
- Yeah.

KEMP: When Emilio was arrested
for m*rder in 1992,

KEMP: When Emilio was arrested
for m*rder in 1992,

Marisa was expected to lead

one of the most dangerous
crime families in Europe

at the age of just 22.

at the age of just 22.

So you became a boss, effectively?
He trusts you,

that's why you take that position.
- Yeah. You're right in that way.

that's why you take that position.
- Yeah. You're right in that way.

Yeah. So I used to go every weekend
to prison.

- Were you conducting business

when you met your dad?
- Yeah. Well, he was giving me notes

when you met your dad?
- Yeah. Well, he was giving me notes

to give to all his men.

The organisation was still going
for another year.

- Making lots of...
- Money.

KEMP: Marisa's time running
the family business

was soon cut short:
her aunt turned police informant,

giving up the names
of the entire organisation.

giving up the names
of the entire organisation.

- That's 300 people.
- Arrested.

- Her own son, her own mum.

Yeah.

KEMP: In the chaos,
Marisa fled to the UK.

- I managed to get my daughter
back to my mum's.

- I managed to get my daughter
back to my mum's.

- Yeah.
- I then transferred

just short of £500,000 to the UK.

just short of £500,000 to the UK.

- From where?
- Coutts Bank.

KEMP: Coutts
is one of the most reputable

and elite private banks in Britain.

and elite private banks in Britain.

- I then bought myself a showhome,
because it was already kitted out,

- I then bought myself a showhome,
because it was already kitted out,

and I came with nothing,
had to leave everything behind.

And then about a year later,

they came knocking.
- Who are 'they?'

they came knocking.
- Who are 'they?'

- Customs and Excise.
Bang, bang, bang.

Came in and searched the house.

I was arrested, and I got taken
to the police station in Blackpool.

I was arrested, and I got taken
to the police station in Blackpool.

Then I got transferred
to HMP Durham.

- What were you convicted of?
- Money laundering.

- What were you convicted of?
- Money laundering.

I got convicted,
three years, nine months.

KEMP: By buying her showhome
in the UK,

KEMP: By buying her showhome
in the UK,

Marisa was cleaning Mafia money
through a legitimate investment.

What about the Italian authorities?
Did they not want you?

What about the Italian authorities?
Did they not want you?

- Yes. So as soon as I got released
in Durham,

I get extradited to Italy.
Got ten years,

I get extradited to Italy.
Got ten years,

taken down to six years.

- When you look back on it now,

is it like looking back
at somebody else's life?

is it like looking back
at somebody else's life?

- Yeah, it is.

You're living your life
looking behind you all the time.

You know, I'm a strong woman.
I'm a survivor, I guess,

You know, I'm a strong woman.
I'm a survivor, I guess,

in a lot of ways.
- So's your dad.

- Yeah.

KEMP: Marisa's extraordinary story
has revealed

KEMP: Marisa's extraordinary story
has revealed

how a British bank
inadvertently handled Mafia money.

REPORTER: Experts suspect
billions of pounds are laundered

into the UK through property
every year.

KEMP: A number of British banks
have been investigated

KEMP: A number of British banks
have been investigated

by
the Financial Conduct Authority.

In 2012,
Coutts was fined £8.75 million

In 2012,
Coutts was fined £8.75 million

but that was dwarfed by other fines.
Over the next ten years,

but that was dwarfed by other fines.
Over the next ten years,

HSBC was charged 64 million,

NatWest 264 million,

and Santander and Standard Chartered

and Santander and Standard Chartered

were fined over 100 million each.

All were found to have serious
and persistent gaps

All were found to have serious
and persistent gaps

in their anti-money laundering
controls in the UK.

- Banks in Britain and around
the world

unwittingly launder
millions of pounds

of so-called dirty money.
Laundering,

as it's known,
effectively turns criminal money

as it's known,
effectively turns criminal money

into legitimate money,
making it harder for the authorities

to trace its origins
and so track down the criminals.

KEMP: If the Mafia
were washing dirty money in Britain,

how long has it been going on for?

I'm about to meet someone
who was operating on the inside.

Thanks for agreeing to meet us.
- [distorted voice] No problem.

KEMP: In the late '80s
and early 1990s,

KEMP: In the late '80s
and early 1990s,

'Keef,' a pseudonym,

worked as
an undercover money launderer

for UK Customs and Excise.
The people he deceived

for UK Customs and Excise.
The people he deceived

and helped to prosecute
are so dangerous

that even more than 30 years on,

Keef
will only conduct this interview

Keef
will only conduct this interview

anonymously
and with an altered voice.

When when do your bosses decide
that you're the kind of person

When when do your bosses decide
that you're the kind of person

that should work undercover?
- I'd been in Investigation

for a number of years by that stage,
and a new team had been set up

for a number of years by that stage,
and a new team had been set up

that dealt with
high-level criminals,

and the idea was that we were
to infiltrate drug cartels

and get as much information
as possible.

- But you were putting your life
on the line,

weren't you?
- You do have to accept

that there is a fair amount
of danger in what you're doing.

that there is a fair amount
of danger in what you're doing.

KEMP: In the early 1990s,
as the US Mob weakened,

the South American drug cartels

the South American drug cartels

started dealing directly
with their European counterparts.

Keef was introduced to the cartels
by an undercover DEA agent

Keef was introduced to the cartels
by an undercover DEA agent

as a specialised money launderer.

- The Americans had picked up
physical amounts of cash

- The Americans had picked up
physical amounts of cash

from the Mafia, and they would then
bring it to me, physically,

in London, in suitcases.
I would actually take that money

in London, in suitcases.
I would actually take that money

and put it through the bank,
into our shell companies

in this country.

in this country.

KEMP: Shell companies
are inactive businesses,

used as a front
for legitimising dirty money.

used as a front
for legitimising dirty money.

- What they didn't realise was,

the people
that were washing the money

were in fact undercover agents
from the DEA and UK Customs.

were in fact undercover agents
from the DEA and UK Customs.

KEMP: Keef and his fellow
undercover operatives

were part of a vast international
money laundering investigation

were part of a vast international
money laundering investigation

into the cartels and the Mafia
in the early 1990s

into the cartels and the Mafia
in the early 1990s

called Operation Green Ice.

REPORTER: For the first time,
British Customs

was about to launder money
as part of an operation.

was about to launder money
as part of an operation.

KEMP: In order for the cartels
and the Mafia to trust Keef',

he posed
as a successful businessman.

he posed
as a successful businessman.

- Drove a Rolls Royce car
in the UK.

- Sorry, hang on a minute.
You drove a Rolls Royce?

- Yes, it was a seized car
from a gold smuggler

- Yes, it was a seized car
from a gold smuggler

that we'd adapted, and they
provided me with a luxury flat.

- That's important, isn't it?

It's not just that you show up
in these things once every month,

you have to live that life
permanently.

you have to live that life
permanently.

- Yeah, it did put the pressure.
I didn't see my children, my wife.

KEMP: Once embedded,
the scale of the problem

KEMP: Once embedded,
the scale of the problem

soon became apparent.

Just how much money laundering
was going on at that time?

Just how much money laundering
was going on at that time?

- There was quite a lot.

The late '80s, early '90s,

some of the overseas banks
that were here in the City

some of the overseas banks
that were here in the City

would not ask too many questions
of their customer.

It's big, big business.

I think
the money laundering business

I think
the money laundering business

is the third largest industry
in the world,

behind oil and agriculture.

It's massive.

It's massive.

KEMP: To expose
this vast criminal operation,

Keef and his team had to try
and flush out the people at the top.

Keef and his team had to try
and flush out the people at the top.

- We would be able
to slow things down,

cause problems
in the financial system.

cause problems
in the financial system.

Then you'll be surprised how many
people come out of the woodwork

to find out where their money is.

- So part of
your money laundering operation

- So part of
your money laundering operation

was actually to pass on intelligence

that would reveal
who was at the top of the tree?

- That was the objective
all the time.

- That was the objective
all the time.

- And you were following it
all the way?

- Oh, it was always being tracked,
yeah.

And it exposed the Mafia
in a big way

And it exposed the Mafia
in a big way

to identify
all their money laundering people.

KEMP: Operation Green Ice relied on
a global intelligence network

KEMP: Operation Green Ice relied on
a global intelligence network

involving agents
at the highest possible levels,

and in September 1992,
it came to a head.

and in September 1992,
it came to a head.

REPORTER: In a series of raids,
over 200 people,

including seven major financiers,
arrested.

including seven major financiers,
arrested.

- Eight countries took part
on the day

in a simultaneous bust, and one of
the major people was a guy

in a simultaneous bust, and one of
the major people was a guy

who the Italian police described as

the major cocaine trafficker
in the world.

That also led to them identifying
over 1.3 billion had been invested

That also led to them identifying
over 1.3 billion had been invested

by the Mafia in hotels,
small industries and shops.

by the Mafia in hotels,
small industries and shops.

So it was a big, big hit.

KEMP: Operation Green Ice
resulted in the arrests

KEMP: Operation Green Ice
resulted in the arrests

of major players
from the Colombian cartels

and the Italian Mafia.
Millions of pounds, dollars, jewels

and property were seized.

and property were seized.

They found more than


and closed 15 companies
used as fronts

for trafficking
and money laundering.

for trafficking
and money laundering.

It's still to this day

one of the biggest single
takedown operations ever conducted.

one of the biggest single
takedown operations ever conducted.

Were you not at risk

when this operation
was finally closed?

- Yes, but you hope
that your colleagues

- Yes, but you hope
that your colleagues

are looking after your back.

- Did you take
any other kind of steps

in order to ensure your safety?

in order to ensure your safety?

- Yeah, I did take
a little bit of a drastic step:

I decided that I'd have cosmetic
surgery to change my appearance,

I decided that I'd have cosmetic
surgery to change my appearance,

because I was still working
against cartel members at the time.

- That was a bit drastic.
- I felt more comfortable

meeting them, and it gave me
confidence that I could carry on.

meeting them, and it gave me
confidence that I could carry on.

- How and why
did it come to an end for you?

- I'd done enough, and also
you can't go on for that long

- I'd done enough, and also
you can't go on for that long

doing this work. It's not the life
of a normal person,

and its's time to get out.

- Thanks for agreeing to talk to us.
- No problem.

KEMP: Operation Green Ice
may have achieved its goal,

KEMP: Operation Green Ice
may have achieved its goal,

but money laundering
is still crucial

to the success
of any organised crime group.

Some people believe financial
institutions around the world

Some people believe financial
institutions around the world

were kept afloat by ill*gal money

during the chaos
of the financial crisis in 2008.

during the chaos
of the financial crisis in 2008.

- Without the drug money,
many bank would collapse.

ROSS KEMP: To uncover the link
between Britain and the Mafia

has been an epic task

has been an epic task

that has finally brought me
full circle.

The first example I heard
of possible Mafia activity in the UK

The first example I heard
of possible Mafia activity in the UK

was when I discovered
that banker Roberto Calvi's body

was when I discovered
that banker Roberto Calvi's body

had been found hanging
under Blackfriars Bridge

in June 1982.

Professor John Dickie
believed that banker Calvi

was m*rder*d
for losing the Mafia's money

was m*rder*d
for losing the Mafia's money

through his failing
Banco Ambrosiano.

- This is where things
really start to get dangerous,

- This is where things
really start to get dangerous,

because...
- Calvi starts to lose Mafia money?

- He starts to lose Mafia money.
- Very, very good reasons

for getting rid of him.
- Yeah.

- So what is he doing in London?

- So what is he doing in London?

- It may well be that he was
looking around for more money

to try and save his banks,
using his contacts in the City.

to try and save his banks,
using his contacts in the City.

KEMP: So is the relationship
between Britain and the Mafia

KEMP: So is the relationship
between Britain and the Mafia

about money?

REPORTER: Since 1994,
all British banks

REPORTER: Since 1994,
all British banks

have had to report to the police
any transaction

they find suspicious,
but they're not obliged

to search out dirty money.

KEMP: In 2020, police seized £2m
from a Lloyds Bank account

that was directly traceable
to the Italian Mafia.

that was directly traceable
to the Italian Mafia.

In global financial terms,
this was small change.

But in 2008,
an extraordinary world event

offered a new perspective
on ill*gal money

in the banking system.

REPORTER: It was
the biggest bankruptcy in history,

and the tipping point
into global recession.

and the tipping point
into global recession.

Stock markets tumbled,
and businesses went to the wall.

- This has been an extraordinarily
serious set of events.

- This has been an extraordinarily
serious set of events.

KEMP: Sixteen years ago,
the world found itself

in the midst of an unprecedented
global financial collapse.

in the midst of an unprecedented
global financial collapse.

- This was the biggest single
economic crash of our lifetimes.

REPORTER: Banks' funding sources
have dried up,

REPORTER: Banks' funding sources
have dried up,

billions of pounds
no longer accessible.

- You have to find the money.

KEMP: With the banks
running out of cash,

they desperately needed liquidity.

REPORTER: A global financial system
is developing

REPORTER: A global financial system
is developing

that benefits those who wish
to hide and move dirty money.

KEMP: Some experts believe
that during the Credit Crunch,

KEMP: Some experts believe
that during the Credit Crunch,

a number of financial institutions
around the world

were propped up
by using ill*gal funds.

were propped up
by using ill*gal funds.

- During the financial crisis
of 2008,

- During the financial crisis
of 2008,

drug money saved from bankruptcy

many banks around the world.

No-one say no to those money.

KEMP: And the then director
of The Office Of United Nations

KEMP: And the then director
of The Office Of United Nations

Against Crime & Drugs,
Antonio Costa, stated that...

It has never been proved,
or suggested,

that any UK bank
was propped up

by ill*gal drug money
during the Credit Crunch,

but the spectre of laundering
ill*gal money through Britain

by organised crime groups
still persists.

by organised crime groups
still persists.

- The City of London now
is one of the centres

of money laundering in the world,
and everybody's aware of that.

of money laundering in the world,
and everybody's aware of that.

- If you were to withdraw
ill*gal money in the City of London,

would the City of London
carry on working functionally?

would the City of London
carry on working functionally?

I don't think it would.

I think that if you were to identify
all money coming into the City

from ill*gal origin,
then that might collapse.

from ill*gal origin,
then that might collapse.

KEMP: The success
of money laundering

in the last 25 years has grown
largely because of

in the last 25 years has grown
largely because of

the digitisation of currency
and financial transactions.

the digitisation of currency
and financial transactions.

- You're seeing networks
of criminals operating online,

co-operating with one another
as money launderers,

as malicious code writers
all focused on financial gain.

- Could banks do more
to help the police

- Could banks do more
to help the police

track down the money launderers?
- Practices are coming to light

that have got to be dealt with,

cleaning up the banking system
of our country.

cleaning up the banking system
of our country.

REPORTER: ..anonymised transactions

which can be almost impossible
for the police to trace.

KEMP: And the Mafia have always been

at the forefront
of criminal evolution.

- Now they are of the age
of the analogical reality

- Now they are of the age
of the analogical reality

and the digital, virtual,
the idea that they can work online

and the digital, virtual,
the idea that they can work online

using cryptocurrencies,
using the Dark Web

to sell narcotics.

to sell narcotics.

So they are always a step ahead

compared to the authorities

and the short sight
of the politicians.

and the short sight
of the politicians.

- No British bank
has ever been found guilty

of laundering Mafia money,
but it's been speculated

of laundering Mafia money,
but it's been speculated

that it happens.
I've travelled from London

to cities across the United States,
to the mountains of Colombia,

to cities across the United States,
to the mountains of Colombia,

to the coastlines of Spain
and Italy.

The one thing that's become clear
is the reason the Mafia has survived

The one thing that's become clear
is the reason the Mafia has survived

so long is its ability

to remain one step ahead of
the authorities, to be less visible.

to remain one step ahead of
the authorities, to be less visible.

Maybe that is their greatest skill.

If they are here,

then detecting them
is getting harder and harder.

then detecting them
is getting harder and harder.

[dramatic music]