A HUGE SHIPMENT of mob drugs was on board the doomed Costa Concordia cruise liner, according the the Independent UK.

Mafia

The newspaper claims that investigators said mafia-owned cocaine was hidden aboard the huge ship which partially capsized in January 2012.

A total of 32 people died in the incident. The captain of the ship has since been sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter.

Italy Ship Aground AP / Press Association Images Costa Concordia in 2013. AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The drugs are reported to belong to the Calabrian crime syndicate, Ndrangheta.

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According to police officers investigating the drugs operation, the crime boss Michele Rossi is heard saying to an associate, Massimo Tiralongo:

“The same ship that made us a laughing stock around the world, took the piss out of us, too.”

The Times UK reports that prosecutors said there “is no doubt” he was referring to the famous shipwreck.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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