Written by: Keya Gambhir

In July 2025, Colombian police caught someone very important, and very dangerous. His name is Giuseppe Palermo, but many people call him “Peppe.” He’s accused of being a leader in a powerful Italian mafia group and was wanted in 196 countries. Now, let’s dive into who he is and why this matters.

What Is the Mafia?

The mafia is a secret group of criminals that started in Italy more than 200 years ago. These groups work outside the law to make lots of money from things like stealing, illegal gambling, and selling forbidden items such as drugs. Mafia groups often use threats, violence, or fear to stay in control. One of the most powerful mafia organizations is called the ‘Ndrangheta. It’s based in a region of Italy called Calabria and is believed to earn billions of dollars every year from illegal activities. This group is very secretive and very dangerous.

What Does the Word “Mafia” Mean?

The word “mafia” has a long and interesting history. One of the first times it appeared in writing, it was used to describe people who were bold, proud, or rebellious. Some believe it even referred to strong or fearless women. Others think it comes from the Arabic language. Around the year 846, Arabs ruled parts of Italy, including the island of Sicily. The Arabic word mahias means “bold man,” and many experts believe this word helped shape the modern term “mafia,” which still suggests someone powerful, bold, and unafraid.

What Did “Peppe” Do?

Police say Peppe helped run the ‘Ndrangheta’s drug business in Latin America. He bought large amounts of cocaine in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, and then controlled how the drugs were secretly shipped to Europe. He decided which roads, boats, or people would carry the drugs and worked hard to avoid getting caught. Palermo wasn’t just a helper, he was believed to be a leader in this process, with a lot of power over how the drugs moved between countries.

What Is a “Red Notice”?

Because he was such an important figure in the mafia, Interpol, a worldwide police agency, issued a Red Notice for Palermo. A Red Notice is like a global wanted poster that tells police in 196 countries to arrest a person if they’re found. Palermo was finally caught while walking down the street in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. His arrest was part of a special operation involving police from Colombia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Europol, which is the European Union’s police force. Colombian police said he was part of one of the most tightly organized cells in the entire ‘Ndrangheta group.

Why Is Cocaine So Dangerous?

Cocaine is an illegal drug made from coca plants, mostly grown in South America. It can seriously harm a person’s brain and body and lead to addiction, sickness, and even death. Even though it’s banned in many countries, criminal groups keep selling it because it brings in a lot of money. In 2023, around 3,708 tons of cocaine were made worldwide, the weight of about 600 elephants! Most of the growth came from Colombia, where coca plant farming has increased. This growing drug trade causes big problems not just for people who use drugs, but also for communities facing more crime, violence, and fear.

Why This Arrest Matters

Catching someone like Peppe is a big deal. It may help reduce how quickly cocaine moves from South America to Europe. It also shows that even leaders in powerful mafia groups can be found and arrested. Palermo was believed to be part of one of the mafia’s most trusted and dangerous teams. His arrest may help weaken the group’s power and stop some of the drug activity harming people around the world. Most importantly, it shows that when countries work together, they can take action against global crime.

What Can We Learn?

This story reminds us that the mafia isn’t just something from movies, it’s real and dangerous. It also teaches us how harmful drugs like cocaine are, not just for users, but for entire countries and communities. Finally, it shows how teamwork between countries makes a difference in stopping crime and protecting people. Even when criminal groups try to stay hidden, stories like this one prove that justice can still catch up.