Ross Kemp: Mafia and Britain (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

1
(bell clangs)
CONTINUITY ANNOUNCER:
We now go over to London
for the latest national
and international news.
for the latest national
and international news.
REPORTER: Police
made a bizarre discovery.
Hanging under Blackfriars Bridge
was the body of a man.
Hanging under Blackfriars Bridge
was the body of a man.
The body was hanging
from scaffolding
underneath the bridge in London.
ROSS KEMP: On the 18th of June 1982,
a corpse was found
under this bridge in central London.
(bell clangs)
REPORTER: He'd been dead
between two and six hours.
(bell)
(bell)
- Five bricks were found
in his clothes
..plus £7,300 in assorted currency.
..plus £7,300 in assorted currency.
KEMP: Details
made the death suspicious.
REPORTER: The injuries
suggest that he'd been killed
some time earlier his body
brought here
some time earlier his body
brought here
..and left hanging
to fool the authorities.
REPORTER: There is now
growing suspicion
..that he was murdered.
(bell)
KEMP: The body was identified
as Roberto Calvi.
KEMP: The body was identified
as Roberto Calvi.
REPORTER: The head
of a large, private Italian bank.
REPORTER: The head
of a large, private Italian bank.
He was known as 'God's Banker.'
REPORTER: Signor Calvi's
widow and son
maintain that he was murdered
maintain that he was murdered
in a plot
which implicates the Italian Mafia.
(bell)
REPORTER: It involved the Mafia.
REPORTER: ..the Mafia.
(bell)
- It was almost
the perfect murder.
- It was almost
the perfect murder.
- Up until the death
of Roberto Calvi, it was assumed
that the Mafia had no business here.
But with his murder,
that the Mafia had no business here.
But with his murder,
it seemed that they were here
and able to operate with impunity.
So just how far did the Mafia's
tentacles extend throughout Britain?
I'm on a journey to find out.
I'm on a journey to find out.
(grave music)
KEMP: The Mafia is one of
the oldest organised crime groups
KEMP: The Mafia is one of
the oldest organised crime groups
in the world, dating back
to the 19th century in rural Italy.
Over two centuries, its influence
has spread across the globe.
- The rackets
have become too widespread,
too well-organised, and too rich.
too well-organised, and too rich.
KEMP: Smuggling, protection rackets,
robbery, drugs and murder.
robbery, drugs and murder.
- This is
the eighth Camorra killing in Naples
in six days.
in six days.
KEMP: Bound by rules and rituals,
and led by charismatic characters,
the Mafia has inspired
countless books,
the Mafia has inspired
countless books,
movies and television series.
But are they operating in the UK?
And could they have killed,
in plain sight, in central London?
- Nice to meet you.
KEMP: Peter Bleksley
- Nice to meet you.
KEMP: Peter Bleksley
was a Metropolitan Police detective
in 1982.
- Peter, can you remember
the morning
- Peter, can you remember
the morning
that Roberto Calvi's body was found
hanging underneath this bridge?
- As if it was yesterday.
For a slightly overweight,
not very physically able
For a slightly overweight,
not very physically able
62-year-old man
to clamber over a bridge,
62-year-old man
to clamber over a bridge,
navigate some pretty complex
and dangerous scaffolding,
almost like an acrobat,
to then tie a rope to it,
almost like an acrobat,
to then tie a rope to it,
the other end around his neck,
weigh himself down with bricks
and jump into the River Thames
what?
and jump into the River Thames
what?
- So you think murder first?
- Yeah.
- So you think murder first?
- Yeah.
- Anything else on the body?
- About $14,000 in mixed currency,
lira and Swiss francs and suchlike.
lira and Swiss francs and suchlike.
He had a false passport on him.
Roberto Calvi had been
chairman of a bank,
Roberto Calvi had been
chairman of a bank,
and in that bank had been
a lot of money
belonging to the Vatican. That's why
Calvi was known as 'God's Banker.'
belonging to the Vatican. That's why
Calvi was known as 'God's Banker.'
And there were some other people
had a very keen interest in him.
And there were some other people
had a very keen interest in him.
- What other people?
- The Mafia.
Roberto Calvi was part of
a masonic brotherhood called P2,
Roberto Calvi was part of
a masonic brotherhood called P2,
who were linked to the Mafia,
otherwise known as the Black Friars.
who were linked to the Mafia,
otherwise known as the Black Friars.
And the location,
Blackfriars Bridge.
- There was some symbolism
to what had happened here?
- Yes.
If you're going to kill someone,
and you're going to send out
messages, this killing had plenty.
and you're going to send out
messages, this killing had plenty.
- This is all adding up
to an example killing.
It's in a very, very public place.
- In London.
It's in a very, very public place.
- In London.
The Mafia were clearly saying,
"You can never rest easy,
you can never sleep soundly.
"You can never rest easy,
you can never sleep soundly.
Because wherever you go,
we'll find you."
KEMP: The murder of God's Banker
under Blackfriars Bridge
is still officially unsolved.
is still officially unsolved.
If the Mafia did kill him,
who carried out the hit, and why?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Professor John Dickie
has tried to unravel the case.
Professor John Dickie
has tried to unravel the case.
So John, why would the Mafia
want Calvi out of the way?
- Well, Calvi was already
deep, deep in trouble.
- Well, Calvi was already
deep, deep in trouble.
His bank was spiralling,
he'd been prosecuted
for various banking offences,
and he's becoming more and more
desperate for money
and he's becoming more and more
desperate for money
to plug the holes in his empire.
And it's at this point, we think
he gets in touch
And it's at this point, we think
he gets in touch
with the Sicilian Mafia,
and that this is where
things really start
to get dangerous.
- Because Calvi
starts to lose Mafia money?
- Because Calvi
starts to lose Mafia money?
- He starts to lose Mafia money.
- Very, very good reasons
for getting rid of him.
- Absolutely.
- 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.
using his contacts in the City.
KEMP: Calvi thought London
was a safe place to go,
but John's research has uncovered
dangerous Mafia operatives
but John's research has uncovered
dangerous Mafia operatives
who were in Britain at the time.
- There was a guy
called Francesco Di Carlo in London,
who was a member
of the Sicilian Mafia.
who was a member
of the Sicilian Mafia.
'Frankie The Strangler',
they called him.
- So Di Carlo is suspected
of being the murderer?
- Yeah. But he says:
of being the murderer?
- Yeah. But he says:
"Actually, they did ask me to do it.
But by the time I got back in touch
with them, they said,
'Actually,
we've already sorted it out.
'Actually,
we've already sorted it out.
We've given it to members
of the Neapolitan Mafia to do.'"
- Right.
- The Neapolitans that Di Carlo says
- Right.
- The Neapolitans that Di Carlo says
did it, one of them dies
six months or so later
in a car bomb in Rome.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- And then the other one,
Sergio Vaccari,
gets stabbed to death in London.
He's stabbed in the mouth,
which some people speculate
is some kind of Mafia signal
for keeping your mouth
- Shut.
for keeping your mouth
- Shut.
And bricks are found
on his body.
- Bricks?
- Rather in the same style as Calvi.
- So John, potentially
Calvi and the man that was suspected
of murdering him
were both killed here
on British soil?
were both killed here
on British soil?
- Yeah. For me,
that's the most likely explanation.
KEMP: No-one
was ever brought to justice
KEMP: No-one
was ever brought to justice
for these vicious murders.
Whoever killed Calvi
successfully covered their tracks.
Whoever killed Calvi
successfully covered their tracks.
So was the murder of God's Banker
a one-off,
or were there other active
Mafia cells operating in the UK?
or were there other active
Mafia cells operating in the UK?
I start looking for more evidence.
There are very few news articles
that refer to the Mafia in the UK
There are very few news articles
that refer to the Mafia in the UK
over the last 50 years.
But one report from 2007
catches my eye.
But one report from 2007
catches my eye.
- He's wanted by Italian police
in connection with four murders.
But after a year on the run,
But after a year on the run,
officers have finally
caught up with Gennaro Panzuto.
He wasn't found in Palermo,
but near Preston.
KEMP: Preston is a world away
from a Mob war in Naples.
This seems too far-fetched
to be true,
so I've headed north
to find out more.
so I've headed north
to find out more.
- Hello there. Ross.
Pleased to meet you.
In 2006, Mick Bury was living
in a caravan park
In 2006, Mick Bury was living
in a caravan park
when a new neighbour arrived.
His name was Gennaro Panzuto.
- Coming in?
- Yeah, love to.
- Coming in?
- Yeah, love to.
How did you
first meet Gennaro Panzuto?
How did you
first meet Gennaro Panzuto?
- What happened was, the kids
come knocking on my door:
"See, Mick? See, Mick?
The Italian guy's
just reversed into your car."
I went, "Y'what?"
just reversed into your car."
I went, "Y'what?"
So I come blazing over,
banging on t'door:
"Can't y'see?"
- "What've you done to my car?"
He give me two hundred quid.
A bit extra?
- A bit extra, yeah. I thought:
"Oh, this is alright."
He said, "Don't go
talking about it."
He said, "Don't go
talking about it."
- Didn't want the police involved?
- No, definitely.
- You've got pictures of him.
- Yeah.
- Good-looking lad, ain't he?
- Very smart, very smart.
- He must have stood out?
- Well, he did.
I mean, he was an Italian, smooth,
charmed,
with a bit of swagger.
with a bit of swagger.
- Not the guy you'd normally find
in this location.
- Exactly, exactly.
But he mixed with everybody.
- He was very friendly?
But he mixed with everybody.
- He was very friendly?
- Yeah, very. Used to buy a round,
a pub round of drinks.
Then he'd have barbecues.
It was good, everybody liked him.
Then he'd have barbecues.
It was good, everybody liked him.
KEMP: Panzuto only stayed
at the caravan park a few months.
KEMP: Panzuto only stayed
at the caravan park a few months.
He soon upgraded
to a three-bedroom house
on the outskirts of Preston.
So this is the house?
- Yeah, this is the house.
- Ever see anybody else come and go?
- Yeah, quite a few people
flying over. Italian.
- Yeah, quite a few people
flying over. Italian.
- So flying over from Italy?
- Yeah.
- The most unlikely of locations,
I would suggest.
- The most unlikely of locations,
I would suggest.
Mick and Gennaro remained friends,
until one day in May 2007.
until one day in May 2007.
- Everything kicked off.
- Police, coming upstairs!
- Armed police?
- Yeah, and said,
- Armed police?
- Yeah, and said,
"Is there any guns in the house?"
KEMP: Mick learned the reason
for the raid from news reports.
- The Italian authorities say
they're more used to tracing
their Mafia suspects t
o the South of France or Spain
than to semi-detached houses
in Lancashire.
than to semi-detached houses
in Lancashire.
- It seemed surreal.
- It was so unlikely.
- It was so unlikely.
It was just Couldn't make it up,
you just couldn't.
you just couldn't.
KEMP: Lancashire seems like
a peculiar choice
for a Mafia mobster.
So why did he go there?
So why did he go there?
One of Britain's
foremost authorities on the Mafia,
One of Britain's
foremost authorities on the Mafia,
Professor Felia Allum,
has tracked the case.
Felia, Preston is not the place
that automatically comes to mind
Felia, Preston is not the place
that automatically comes to mind
when you mention the word 'Mafia.'
- No, and that's the point:
when you mention the word 'Mafia.'
- No, and that's the point:
they're invisible there.
We've got somebody
who's come to the UK, who's wanted
for Mafia association in Italy.
who's come to the UK, who's wanted
for Mafia association in Italy.
- But that is just a specific crime
of association, or being a member,
not an actual crime, which could be
murder, drug
- No, but in Italy, it is a crime.
But the British authorities
- No, but in Italy, it is a crime.
But the British authorities
don't have the same lengths,
don't have that crime to look for.
So in the UK, you can hide
quite easily.
So in the UK, you can hide
quite easily.
- Hiding in plain sight.
- Exactly.
KEMP: So who was Panzuto
on the run from?
KEMP: So who was Panzuto
on the run from?
- There are various Mafias
linked to different regions.
- In Italy?
- In Italy.
- In Italy?
- In Italy.
Gennaro was part of the Camorra,
up in Naples.
- What are they?
- It's urban, based in the city.
They're clans, they're families
that come together to intimidate,
to impose extortion,
or to silence people.
to impose extortion,
or to silence people.
KEMP: But was Gennaro Panzuto
just hiding here,
or was he also conducting
Mafia business in Britain?
or was he also conducting
Mafia business in Britain?
- Once they're here, they're likely
to be involved in things
which are illegal,
it's all they know.
- They've grown up in that
environment, it's what they do.
Where is he now?
- I think he's now in Italy,
Where is he now?
- I think he's now in Italy,
and I think he has done his time
and has come out of protection.
KEMP: To get the full story,
I need to speak to Panzuto myself.
KEMP: To get the full story,
I need to speak to Panzuto myself.
I asked Felia
to use her connections in Italy
to try and get a number for him.
And I managed to make contact.
I'm in Italy.
Gennaro Panzuto
has agreed to talk to me.
KEMP: I'm investigating
Britain's links to the Mafia.
For years, it has been assumed
the UK had little connection
For years, it has been assumed
the UK had little connection
with the infamous
Italian crime group.
But in 2007, a Mafia associate
by the name of Gennaro Panzuto
But in 2007, a Mafia associate
by the name of Gennaro Panzuto
was found living in Lancashire.
I've come to Naples to meet him.
This area is called La Torretta.
It means 'little tower'.
This area is called La Torretta.
It means 'little tower'.
This is the area
where Gennaro Panzuto grew up.
This is the area
where Gennaro Panzuto grew up.
Naples is the birthplace
of the Camorra,
a violent urban branch
of the Mafia
a violent urban branch
of the Mafia
divided into clans that control
specific areas of the city.
Each clan has a boss
and hundreds of soldiers.
Before we meet,
Panzuto has warned me
Before we meet,
Panzuto has warned me
that some clans in the city
still want him dead.
Gennaro?
- Hey.
Gennaro?
- Hey.
- Ross Kemp.
- Gennaro Panzuto.
KEMP: So we are meeting
at a secret location.
KEMP: So we are meeting
at a secret location.
Do I sit? Grazie.
Panzuto starts by telling me
how he first came into contact
Panzuto starts by telling me
how he first came into contact
with the Camorra.
Gennaro was soon recruited
by a Camorra clan
Gennaro was soon recruited
by a Camorra clan
and sent to work
for his new boss.
You personally
went after the soldiers
You personally
went after the soldiers
of the boss of the other clan?
- Yeah.
Gennaro used violence
to rise quickly through the ranks.
But Naples
was about to descend into chaos.
But Naples
was about to descend into chaos.
In the early 2000s,
fighting broke out
In the early 2000s,
fighting broke out
between two of the largest
Camorra clans
for control of drugs in the city.
It was one of the bloodiest
conflicts in Naples' history.
Hundreds of people were killed.
(sirens wail)
- Hundreds of extra police
have been sent to Naples.
REPORTER: There's more police
per person
than any other city in Europe.
than any other city in Europe.
- Why do you choose
to go to the United Kingdom?
- Why do you choose
to go to the United Kingdom?
So you've met these guys
in the port. They're criminals.
So you've met these guys
in the port. They're criminals.
- Sì.
- You've agreed to go to Britain.
Where do you fly to?
- A Preston.
- What did you think of Preston
- A Preston.
- What did you think of Preston
when you got there?
Not looking over your shoulder,
waiting for somebody to come for you
with a gun, right?
- Yeah, exactly.
In England, my life is normal.
In England, my life is normal.
KEMP: In Preston, Gennaro
started to work on fraud scams
with his British criminal contacts.
with his British criminal contacts.
What did you have to do?
What did you have to do?
From his hiding place in Preston,
Gennaro carried on
playing a key role
in the Camorra fighting
that raged on in Naples.
in the Camorra fighting
that raged on in Naples.
You're able to travel
back and forth?
You're killing people
when you come here?
You're killing people
when you come here?
Can you remember
how many lives you've taken?
With the bodies mounting up
in Naples,
the clan bosses needed somewhere
away from police scrutiny
the clan bosses needed somewhere
away from police scrutiny
to meet and negotiate.
Guys from Naples,
Camorra associates,
came across to England?
So according to Gennaro,
So according to Gennaro,
the gathering of Italians
at the house in Preston
Mick Bury told me about
was actually a peace summit
Mick Bury told me about
was actually a peace summit
for Mafia bosses.
Gennaro claims
his Lancashire summit worked,
Gennaro claims
his Lancashire summit worked,
and the clans came to
an uneasy truce.
But his time on the run
was coming to an end.
In May 2007, Italian authorities
finally tracked him down
to Lancashire and extradited him
back to Italy,
to Lancashire and extradited him
back to Italy,
where he was convicted of crimes
including murder, drug trafficking
where he was convicted of crimes
including murder, drug trafficking
and Mafia association.
You're now facing multiple life
sentences. What do you decide to do?
You're now facing multiple life
sentences. What do you decide to do?
After fourteen years inside,
Gennaro decided to give evidence
against the Camorra
in exchange for his freedom.
against the Camorra
in exchange for his freedom.
The terminology, I believe,
is a 'pentito?'
Are you not in fear of your life
every second of the day?
Are you not in fear of your life
every second of the day?
For over a year,
Gennaro Panzuto travelled
For over a year,
Gennaro Panzuto travelled
from the UK to Italy,
committing murder.
He even arranged a Mafia summit
here.
Preston was the perfect place
to hide out,
because no-one suspected it
and nobody was looking.
because no-one suspected it
and nobody was looking.
But has Britain ever been more than
just a hiding place for the Mafia?
Have they ever had
a fully operational cell in the UK?
Have they ever had
a fully operational cell in the UK?
I comb old news articles,
looking for evidence
of something bigger,
and I think I find it
this time in Scotland.
and I think I find it
this time in Scotland.
Aberdeen is probably the last place,
you'd think,
that would be home
to a Mafia organisation.
that would be home
to a Mafia organisation.
REPORTER: An Aberdeen businessman
is accused
of being the godfather
of a Mafia crime gang
and a catalogue of crimes,
including racketeering,
and a catalogue of crimes,
including racketeering,
extortion and violence.
KEMP: I'm on a mission
to investigate
KEMP: I'm on a mission
to investigate
Britain's links with the Mafia.
So far I've uncovered a hitman
and a murder.
So far I've uncovered a hitman
and a murder.
Now I'm on the trail of something
potentially much bigger,
in the northeast of Scotland
in the northeast of Scotland
..a story that takes us back
over 30 years.
..a story that takes us back
over 30 years.
In the 1980s,
natural resources from the North Sea
In the 1980s,
natural resources from the North Sea
were coming ashore
in northeast Scotland.
The City of Aberdeen
was the oil capital of Europe,
home to cash-rich executives
eager to splash out on luxury meals.
home to cash-rich executives
eager to splash out on luxury meals.
So it wasn't a surprise
when a high-end Italian restaurant
opened up in the early '90s.
when a high-end Italian restaurant
opened up in the early '90s.
So Norman, this was it, yeah?
- This was it: Pavarotti's.
- "A real taste of Italy.'
- In more ways than one.
- "A real taste of Italy.'
- In more ways than one.
KEMP: At the time, Norman Silvester
was investigating criminal activity
KEMP: At the time, Norman Silvester
was investigating criminal activity
in the city.
- Pavarotti's was owned by a man
called Antonio La Torre
- Pavarotti's was owned by a man
called Antonio La Torre
..who had come from Mondragone
in southern Italy.
- Outside Naples?
- Outside Naples.
- Outside Naples?
- Outside Naples.
- What was he like?
- Very personable, well-spoken.
Very much the ideal host.
But by the early 1990s, my contacts
were telling me about this chap,
that there was more to him
than met the eye. His family
that there was more to him
than met the eye. His family
were a Mafia clan in southern Italy
involved in extortion
and intimidation.
They ran protection rackets,
and intimidation.
They ran protection rackets,
they were involved in drug-dealing,
counterfeit money, robbery,
all manner of crimes, generating
large sums for the family.
all manner of crimes, generating
large sums for the family.
KEMP: Norman decided to investigate
La Torre's life in Aberdeen.
KEMP: Norman decided to investigate
La Torre's life in Aberdeen.
This is where La Torre lived?
- Yes.
- Above a butcher's?
- Living above a butcher's shop.
- Above a butcher's?
- Living above a butcher's shop.
Discreet, off the main street.
No luxury lifestyle. Just a normal,
everyday family home.
No luxury lifestyle. Just a normal,
everyday family home.
- He is very, very normal,
apart from one thing.
- He's a member of one of
the biggest crime families in Italy.
- He's a member of one of
the biggest crime families in Italy.
KEMP: Over the next few years,
La Torre expanded his business
KEMP: Over the next few years,
La Torre expanded his business
and opened a second restaurant
in Aberdeen.
In the 1980s and '90s, the quantity
of drugs coming into Scotland
In the 1980s and '90s, the quantity
of drugs coming into Scotland
was growing exponentially.
- The use of hard drugs
has reached epidemic proportions.
Unless action is taken, the crisis
will be out of control.
Unless action is taken, the crisis
will be out of control.
- There was large amounts of cocaine
being brought into Scotland by sea
- There was large amounts of cocaine
being brought into Scotland by sea
in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
(ship horn sounds)
Antonio La Torre had already
established a trade route
Antonio La Torre had already
established a trade route
from Naples for his own restaurants,
all sorts of drugs being traded
as well, but there was never
any proof
as well, but there was never
any proof
that he was directly involved.
KEMP: There was never any evidence
that La Torre
was importing drugs into Aberdeen.
was importing drugs into Aberdeen.
But in 2001, the authorities
in Italy started an investigation
But in 2001, the authorities
in Italy started an investigation
looking into La Torre's family.
- Italian authorities
start tapping phone calls
- Italian authorities
start tapping phone calls
coming in to clan members.
- (man speaking Italian)
- We're hearing discussions
about criminal operations,
but there were also phone calls
about criminal operations,
but there were also phone calls
oming into Italy from Aberdeen.
KEMP: The voice they heard
was that of Antonio La Torre.
KEMP: The voice they heard
was that of Antonio La Torre.
- It's all on the phone,
calling daily to his brother.
They always referred to 'sausages'
and 'movement.'
They always referred to 'sausages'
and 'movement.'
- Either he was buying
a lot of sausages
or he was moving a lot of cash.
- Exactly, it was money.
He's using the cover of Aberdeen
to launder £500,000 a month
He's using the cover of Aberdeen
to launder £500,000 a month
through restaurants.
- A month?
- Turning dirty money, drugs money,
into good money.
- Turning dirty money, drugs money,
into good money.
KEMP: The wire taps revealed
that La Torre's Scottish restaurants
were fronts for a Mafia operation.
that La Torre's Scottish restaurants
were fronts for a Mafia operation.
- He was the head of one of
the biggest crime clans
in the south of Italy.
- He was the head
of a Camorra crime family.
of a Camorra crime family.
In 2005, the Italian authorities
issued an extradition request
to Scottish police.
(sirens wailing)
to Scottish police.
(sirens wailing)
- La Torre's aware the net's
closing in. So he goes on the run.
Hides out in Inverness,
Dundee, Stirling.
Hides out in Inverness,
Dundee, Stirling.
- How long was he actually
on the run for?
- A period of several months,
but he's running out of places
to hide.
but he's running out of places
to hide.
Eventually he's arrested
in Aberdeen.
- Antonio La Torre is facing
a 13-year jail sentence in Naples,
- Antonio La Torre is facing
a 13-year jail sentence in Naples,
after being convicted there
of a catalogue of crimes,
including racketeering, extortion
and violence.
KEMP: Despite his convictions
in Italy,
La Torre was never tried in the UK.
Aberdeen is probably
the last place, you'd think,
that would be home
to a Mafia organisation,
that would be home
to a Mafia organisation,
but that is what made it
the perfect place
for Antonio La Torre to run
an international criminal enterprise
for Antonio La Torre to run
an international criminal enterprise
that went undetected
for years and years.
(bell tolls)
(bell tolls)
La Torre may have been the only man
to be arrested,
but he must have had help here.
but he must have had help here.
So there's little doubt
that the Mafia had been operating
in the UK. But how long
has this been going on for?
in the UK. But how long
has this been going on for?
Steven.
- Hey, Ross.
- Nice to see you.
- Nice to meet you.
- How are you? Alright?
- Good, yeah. Good.
- How are you? Alright?
- Good, yeah. Good.
KEMP: In the 1980s and '90s,
Stephen Gillen was a major player
in London's gangland.
Stephen Gillen was a major player
in London's gangland.
He served 12 years in prison
for organised crime offences
alongside members
of the Italian Mafia.
alongside members
of the Italian Mafia.
During your time inside,
you actually met up
with some of the Mafia.
you actually met up
with some of the Mafia.
- Yeah, I knew a lot of these guys.
In Whitemoor,
I met Francesco Di Carlo.
- He was the one that was implicated
I met Francesco Di Carlo.
- He was the one that was implicated
in the death of God's Banker,
Calvi, under Blackfriars Bridge.
In prison, Stephen saw firsthand
their strength as a criminal entity.
In prison, Stephen saw firsthand
their strength as a criminal entity.
- It's not just an organisation,
it's a way of life.
They're referred into this life,
put forward
for an initiation process.
They would put a picture
of a saint in their hand.
They would put a picture
of a saint in their hand.
They would set a light to this.
That's the saints
burning in their hand. They'd swear
That's the saints
burning in their hand. They'd swear
that they would die
if they betrayed the codes
of La Cosa Nostra.
You have a hierarchical structure:
soldato, soldier,
soldato, soldier,
capo, captains of a crew.
Then you'd go up.
You've got consigliere,
Then you'd go up.
You've got consigliere,
which is advisor,
underboss, boss.
KEMP: This hierarchy evolved
over centuries, in Sicily and Italy.
KEMP: This hierarchy evolved
over centuries, in Sicily and Italy.
Then,
the structure for organised crime
was franchised
by migrant communities
was franchised
by migrant communities
all over the world.
We're in Hatton Garden now.
We go right here, do we?
- Yeah, go right here
to Little Italy.
- Yeah, go right here
to Little Italy.
KEMP: By the 1930s,
families from rural Italy
KEMP: By the 1930s,
families from rural Italy
had settled in the slums of London.
- The person who rises up
very, very prominently,
- The person who rises up
very, very prominently,
very brutally,
is Charles 'Darby' Sabini.
He really comes up
the old-school way,
which is blood and guts
and brutal street smarts.
He's soon into gambling
in the neighbourhood,
He's soon into gambling
in the neighbourhood,
aligned to influential
Jewish and Italian bookmakers.
- So these bookmakers
, they need to be protected,
- So these bookmakers
, they need to be protected,
so no-one robs them.
Is that how it works?
- Yeah, but it's a bit contrived,
Ross.
Let's be clear about it. Yeah.
He's going to them and saying,
Let's be clear about it. Yeah.
He's going to them and saying,
"You need protection,
pretty much from us.'
He soon has 300 people under him,
you know?
He soon has 300 people under him,
you know?
- 300?!
- 300 people, right?
He even imports gunmen from Sicily.
'Darby' Sabini was the undisputed
godfather in that era.
'Darby' Sabini was the undisputed
godfather in that era.
KEMP: But even criminal godfather
Sabini wasn't strictly Mafia.
KEMP: But even criminal godfather
Sabini wasn't strictly Mafia.
He hadn't sworn an oath
to the brotherhood,
and his mother was Scottish.
and his mother was Scottish.
To be a Mafia member, you have to be
a full-blooded Italian.
So Sabini isn't Mafia.
So Sabini isn't Mafia.
When do the actual Mafia
come to the UK?
- They actually infiltrated here
in the 1960s,
- They actually infiltrated here
in the 1960s,
but there's a very important
distinction to make here:
this is not the Italian branch.
This is the US Mafia,
the American Mob.
KEMP: The American Mob
were largely descendants
of Sicilian Mafia,
migrant crime families
of Sicilian Mafia,
migrant crime families
who made fortunes
selling bad alcohol
during Prohibition in the US,
during Prohibition in the US,
and used it
to build powerful empires.
By the 1960s, the infamous
Five Families of New York
dominated organised crime
in America.
So what were they doing in the UK?
So what were they doing in the UK?
Stephen is taking me to meet
an extraordinary criminal contact
who encountered them at the time.
- Hey, Bobby. Hey, how you doing?
Bob, this is Ross.
- My pleasure.
- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.
- Bobby McKew.
- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.
- Bobby McKew.
KEMP: Bobby soon reveals
the American Mob's operation
in London.
So Bobby, part of your job:
take the Mafia out for dinner.
- It's about business.
KEMP: I'm investigating links
between Britain
KEMP: I'm investigating links
between Britain
and the Italian Mafia.
So far, I've uncovered
Mafia operations in Aberdeen,
So far, I've uncovered
Mafia operations in Aberdeen,
Preston and London.
Now I'm trying to find out why,
and how,
Now I'm trying to find out why,
and how,
the powerful American-Italian Mafia
came to Britain in the 1960s.
- My pleasure.
- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.
- My pleasure.
- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.
- Bobby. Bobby McKew.
KEMP: Bobby McKew is 99 years old,
KEMP: Bobby McKew is 99 years old,
and was part of London's
criminal underworld at the time.
Tell me who these people are?
- That's the Krays.
Tell me who these people are?
- That's the Krays.
I liked Ronnie. He was the gay one.
I liked him.
I liked Ronnie. He was the gay one.
I liked him.
I wasn't really keen on Reggie
terribly, but, in the end
you have to put both of them
together.
That's certainly Billy.
- Billy Hill, he was
the real godfather of London.
- Billy Hill, he was
the real godfather of London.
- I'd say you're right.
- How did you get involved with him?
- I did a few things for him.
He liked me.
- Yeah?
He liked me.
- Yeah?
Bobby's boss, Billy Hill,
ran London's criminal empire.
When gambling was legalised
in Britain in 1960,
it presented Hill and his associates
it presented Hill and his associates
with a unique opportunity.
- Suddenly they were able to open
betting offices, casinos everywhere.
- Suddenly they were able to open
betting offices, casinos everywhere.
Overnight, Britain became
the biggest gambling nation.
INTERVIEWER: What sort of people
are you hoping to attract here?
INTERVIEWER: What sort of people
are you hoping to attract here?
- Membership is open
to responsible persons
from all walks of life.
- If you know how, you can cheat.
- Do you have any idea
how much money was being made?
- Well, I was told they had
about £22m on one casino.
- Well, I was told they had
about £22m on one casino.
KEMP: £22m in the early 1960s
was the kind of money which made
even the American Mafia take notice.
was the kind of money which made
even the American Mafia take notice.
Having been kicked
out of their Havana casinos
Having been kicked
out of their Havana casinos
by Fidel Castro's
1959 Cuban revolution,
they turned their attention
to London.
They've lost Havana,
because there's been a revolution.
They've lost Havana,
because there's been a revolution.
- Yes.
- And all of a sudden,
gambling in the UK is now legal.
- A lot of Mafia people came over.
They wanted to come in
and have a casino.
They wanted to come in
and have a casino.
Angelo Bruno, he was very big.
- He was? This guy?
- Angelo Bruno.
He would have been in the casino
here, would have been his money.
Big boss.
- Carlo Gambino?
Big boss.
- Carlo Gambino?
Of the Gambino Family?
- Yes.
- Yeah, he was the head of it.
- He was the main man.
- And then of course,
a really, really big name:
- And then of course,
a really, really big name:
Meyer Lansky.
- He was the money man
for all the Mafia.
- You met John Gotti,
people like that?
- You met John Gotti,
people like that?
- I was introduced to John Gotti.
- These are big members
of the Five Families.
- These are big members
of the Five Families.
- These were the real architects
of organised crime in the States.
- Billy didn't want them coming in
at all,
because he was getting
all the money.
- Right.
- Nobody wanted the Mafia.
- Right.
- Nobody wanted the Mafia.
They didn't want the Americans
in here.
But you weren't rude to them,
I'll tell you that for nothing.
- Certainly not.
- When they used to come over,
- Certainly not.
- When they used to come over,
Billy, he'd tell me,
"Buy 'em dinner
when they come in," which I did.
- So Bobby, part of your job
working for Billy:
working for Billy:
take the Mafia out for dinner.
- Yes.
- Ultimately, it's about business.
It's about money.
- It's about business, and about
exactly.
- It's about business, and about
exactly.
KEMP: In the 1960s,
the American Mafia
took controlling stakes
in a number of London casinos,
took controlling stakes
in a number of London casinos,
including The Old Colony Sports Club
in Mayfair.
It was the beginning of The Mob's
relationship with Britain.
Not only was this country a place
for the Mafia to hide and operate,
Not only was this country a place
for the Mafia to hide and operate,
I'm now uncovering evidence
of a much deeper relationship
I'm now uncovering evidence
of a much deeper relationship
with the Mob.
So how far did it extend
..and how deep did it go?
If I really want to find out
how much influence the Mafia's had
in the UK, where should I go?
- If you really want to know
the story
of all these heavyweight guys,
there's only one place you to go,
of all these heavyweight guys,
there's only one place you to go,
and that's to the US.
This is where the real story is.
This is where the real story is.
Thank you.
- My pleasure.
- So the American Mafia
was involved in casino money,
- So the American Mafia
was involved in casino money,
in London, in the '60s.
And there's a saying:
'If you want to find out the truth,
then follow the money.'
'If you want to find out the truth,
then follow the money.'
On the Mafia and Britain next time:
I'm in Philadelphia,
where a Mob member reveals
I'm in Philadelphia,
where a Mob member reveals
their relationship with two
notorious British gangsters.
- Ronnie and Reggie.
- The Krays?
- Ronnie and Reggie.
- The Krays?
- The Krays, yeah.
We didn't know
how crazy The Krays were.
A ton of heat came down.
KEMP: Miami sees
A ton of heat came down.
KEMP: Miami sees
a new generation of Mafia establish
an international crime syndicate.
Colombians, Cubans, Mob guys,
making lots and lots of money.
Colombians, Cubans, Mob guys,
making lots and lots of money.
What were the police doing?
- A lot of them were corrupt.
There was a crew of cops
that were killing people.
There was a crew of cops
that were killing people.
KEMP: And I uncover the role
a British Mafia cell played
KEMP: And I uncover the role
a British Mafia cell played
exporting drugs into America.
The Coana Family
have a representative in London.
Where in London, do you know?
- Woking.
Where in London, do you know?
- Woking.
- Woking, Surrey?
- Yeah. Surrey, yes.
- Are you kidding me?
- No.
(grave music)