Organized crime in Italy generates an estimated €40 billion annually, equivalent to 2% of the country's GDP, according to a study by the Cgia di Mestre.

This makes the mafia the fourth-largest "industry" in Italy, trailing only major corporations like Eni and Enel.

The criminal activities range from drug trafficking and illegal waste disposal to public contract manipulation and extortion, with the latter being particularly lucrative.

Northern cities like Milan and Brescia are hotspots, with thousands of businesses suspected of mafia ties.

Alarmingly, some entrepreneurs actively seek out mafia connections for quick financial gains.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat these infiltrations, but the scale of the problem remains vast.