Saverio Mammoliti

Saverio Mammoliti (born December 13, 1942) also known as Saro, is a 'Ndrangheta boss from Oppido Mamertina and Castellace in Calabria. In 2003, he became a pentito when he decided to collaborate with Italian justice. Saro Mammoliti’s nickname was the "playboy of Castellace" for his good looks and taste in women

Saro Mammoliti was born in a historical crime family in the Gioia Tauro plain. The Mammoliti 'ndrina was based in Castelacce. His father Francesco Mammoliti was killed in October 1954 in a feud with the Barbaro 'ndrina. His brother Vincenzo Mammoliti, took over the command of the clan seconded by their other brother Antonino Mammoliti. After Vincenzo’s death in August 1988, Saro succeeded him.

In contrast to the conservative rural traditions of the Ndrangheta, Saro Mammoliti became a ‘modern’ boss, enjoying the good life in Reggio Calabria and Rome – well-dressed and driving around in his Jaguar in the company of beautiful women, which earned him the nickname, the "playboy of Castellace".

In December 1972 he escaped from custody in relation the long-running feud with the Barbaro clan, and lived more or less openly without fear of recapture for the next 20 years. In 1975, while officially a fugitive, he got married to the 15-year-old Maria Caterina Nava at Castellace's parish church next to the local police station, and he subsequently visited each of his new-born children at the local hospital.

Saro Mammoliti was one of the men charged with the kidnap of John Paul Getty III on July 10, 1973, in Rome. Police considered him to be "very close to the brain, or rather brains, behind the plot," including one of the most important bosses of the 'Ndrangheta, Girolamo Piromalli. Nine men eventually were arrested. Two were convicted and sent to prison. The others, including Piromalli and Mammoliti, were acquitted for lack of evidence. However, Mammoliti, a fugitive at the time, was convicted for drug trafficking.

The ransom of approximately US$3 million was invested in the trucks with which the 'Ndrangheta won all the transportation contracts for the container port of Gioia Tauro. After he decided to collaborate with Italian justice, Mammoliti confessed to have been involved in the kidnap.

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Wikipedia