CRUEL AND DANGEROUS PRACTICES ARE HIDED IN THE UNDERGROUND OF ILLEGALITY: ONE OF THESE IS ILLEGAL HORSE RACING. A DARK RITUAL THAT NOT ONLY THREATENS THE SAFETY OF ANIMALS BUT ALSO CONSTITUTES A SIGN OF CHALLENGE TO LEGALITY BY ORGANIZED CRIME. THE WORK MANUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFERS A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR REPRESSION AND PREVENTION OPERATIONS
Co(r)sa Nostra – Guidelines and techniques for combating illegal horse racing
Il Zoomafia LAV report of 2022 revealed that during six interventions, the police reported six illegal races, fifty-four people and seized five animals. These numbers, which are added to those of the last twenty-five years, highlight the devastating extent of a persistent criminal phenomenon. Since LAV began collecting data in 1998, 4,223 people have been reported, 1,389 horses seized and 155 illegal races stopped.
In response to this emergency, an important tool has been developed for the Judicial Police: “Co(r)sa Nostra – Outlines and techniques for combating illegal horse racing”.
The manual provides an operational framework for those engaged in combating and preventing illegal activities. This is not an exhaustive text but a practical notebook that provides guidance in regulatory and operational procedures.
«Several investigations in recent years have confirmed this’interest of some mafia associations in clandestine horse racing”. To declare it, Ciro Troianocriminologist responsible forZoomafia LAV Observatory and author of the manual. These activities not only inflict suffering on animals, but also serve as a means of laundering illegal proceeds and controlling territory.
What topics does the manual address?
A precious handbook
The chapters of the manual address a series of topics, from animal abuse to mafia infiltration, from jurisprudential analysis of unauthorized competitions, to criminal association, from clandestine betting to doping. The volume concludes with a review of jurisprudential maxims, so as to provide a complete overview of illegal racing and the crimes connected to them.
Troiano adds «fighting a specific criminal sector means fighting crime in a broad sense”
The fight against illegal horse racing represents a fundamental front in the broader battle against organized crime.
Let’s try to understand why.
Illegal racing: an “easy” source of income
The quick profit, the possibility of laundering illicit funds and the low judicial risks have made the gaming sector a primary target for organized crime. And clandestine horse races are no exception: they represent fertile ground, not only for criminal infiltration, but also for the formation of associations that act in the territory, in order to organize clandestine events.
In short, they represent a means of reaffirming control of the territory and consolidating relationships within the mafia group.
Numerous investigations have confirmed the interest of mafia clans in clandestine horse racing, often also linked to the management of illegal betting. But this terrible practice represents only one of the many pieces in the mosaic of illicit activities, which also includes drug dealing, usury and other forms of extortion.
The ring then involves dozens of individuals and fuels a deep-rooted criminal culture. Just think of the names given to horses, often inspired by mafia bosses.
Even the presence of songs and poems that glorify racing reveals a deep-rooted criminal subculture, which feeds on popular consensus and sympathies.
In short, in general, the horse has become an inevitable component in mafia culture.
How can we forget, for example, the famous scene of the severed horse’s head in the bed in the film “The Godfather” by Francis Ford Coppola with Marlon Brando.
In the cult, the horse’s head is placed in the bed of a film producer to intimidate him into doing business with the mafia family.
The sequence dramatically highlights the deep connection between the world of organized crime and the world of business, highlighting the control and coercion exercised by the mafia through violence and intimidation.
Unfortunately, the business has effects on animal health, undermining the psychophysical integrity of horses. At the same time, it fuels indifference towards suffering.
Clandestine racing: how events unfold
Historically, criminal organizations have exploited horse racing as a lucrative activity, often organized during religious holidays and in improper circuits even on main roads. The phenomenon is widespread in various regions, mainly in Southern Italy.
In the Center they are mainly managed by groups of Roma and Sintii.
As for the organization of the races, it follows a well-defined ritual, with phases of inspection of the route, gathering of spectators to place bets and departure of the horses followed by a procession of motorcyclists to ensure the running of the race. These events, apparently public, are managed with precision and sharing of tasks between clan members.
What the current legislation says
Following, a series of laws aimed at combating the phenomenon
- Article 544-quinquies of the Penal Code: prohibits animal fighting and other unauthorized competitions that may endanger the physical integrity of animals. Establishes sanctions for those who promote, organize or direct such competitions without authorization;
- Article 648 of the Penal Code talks about receiving stolen goods, i.e. the purchase, receipt or concealment of money or goods originating from any crime, including the case in which the perpetrator of the crime is not attributable or punishable;
- Contribution of persons to the commission of the crime (Art. 110 of the criminal code). Article 110 of the penal code regulates the complicity of people in the commission of a crime. This can be material, through concrete help in the preparation and execution of the crime, or moral, through incitement or psychological support. Malice in complicity to crime does not require complete knowledge of the details of the criminal activity but awareness of the final event;
- Criminal Association (Art. 416 of the Criminal Code): occurs when three or more people join together for the purpose of committing multiple crimes. This law applies when there is a stable associative bond, an indeterminate criminal program and an organizational structure intended to achieve the criminal objectives. It differs from the complicity of people in the crime, due to the stability of the associative bond and the permanent nature of the criminal program;
- Article 348 of the penal code punishes those who illegally practice a profession that requires state licensing with imprisonment from six months to three years and a fine of 10 thousand to 50 thousand euros. The crime is committed even with a single act typical of the profession.
Other laws relating to animal welfare
Detention of animals in conditions incompatible with their nature (Article 727 of the Penal Code): punishes those who keep animals in conditions incompatible with their nature, causing them serious suffering. This crime is distinct from animal cruelty and also punishes negligent conduct.
Doping, drugs and mistreatment: law 189/04 provides for penalties for those who administer narcotic or prohibited substances to animals or subject them to treatments that cause damage to their health. This includes both the administration of illicit substances and treatments harmful to animal welfare. The law distinguishes between physical injuries and damage to health, considering the latter even in the absence of obvious injuries.
Judicial investigations have highlighted trafficking in doping substances in animal husbandry and in horse racing competitions, where animals are treated with banned substances to improve their performance. The administration of these substances is considered an act of mistreatment, even if carried out with the advice of a veterinarian, since it compromises the well-being of the animals. The law provides for the preventive seizure of animals and punishes both those who administer illicit substances and those who prescribe them. But let’s get to the “Go with me”.
What the police should do
First of all, they must conduct accurate judicial police investigations to ensure the correct conduct of criminal proceedings. It is essential to avoid procedural errors that could compromise the entire process. In particular, for cases of animal abuse, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the conditions in which the animals are kept, verifying compliance with the natural and biological laws specific to each species. The documents drawn up must be scrupulous and precise: clearly indicate the disputed violations and justify the reasons for the seizure, if necessary.
The police can make use of judicial police auxiliaries, who must possess specific proven technical skills. Furthermore, in some cases, it is appropriate to involve qualified professionals, such as veterinarians, to conduct veterinary medical checks.
During searches, it is essential to carefully check the premises, animals and any possible sources of evidence. Animals and objects used as evidence must be seized if necessary. Furthermore, in the case of conviction for certain crimes, the confiscation of the animals is foreseen.
It is also important to ascertain any violations of urban planning and building regulations, waste regulations and water pollution regulations and take the necessary measures, including preventive seizures, to counter such violations.
Prevention is better than cure
Law enforcement agencies must also address the phenomenon of illegal racing and animal crimes on the Internet and social media. The events, streamed on social media such as TikTok, not only represent a violation of the law, but can also be used to organize illegal betting. Law enforcement must therefore intervene to combat these illegal activities, blocking the websites that promote them and identifying those responsible through international investigations.
Furthermore, they have to face the problem of maintenance costs for animals seized during operations. One solution tested was the definitive transfer of the animals to third parties, with the payment of a sum of money which can be used to compensate for any damages in the event of a negative outcome of the procedure.
To prevent further clandestine horse racing, the police can adopt administrative measures such as the oral warning and the mandatory expulsion order, provided for by the Code of anti-mafia laws and prevention measures. These measures can be adopted against people deemed socially dangerous, even without criminal proceedings or convictions, to prevent the commission of future crimes.
Luciano Liggio’s phrase says a lot…
We conclude with a sentence, del “king of the corleonesi” which is a whole program
“If I have to base it on my experience, it’s nonsense, the mafia doesn’t exist. But reading various authors who have spoken about the mafia, such as Pitrè (Giuseppe (Palermo 1841 – IVI 1916) doctor, historian, philologist, man of letters – Ed.), it should mean beauty: and not only physical, but also spiritual. If I say “a nice horse”, is the horse a mafioso?”.