Domenico Tripodo
| Domenico Tripodo | |
|---|---|
Domenico Tripodo
|
|
| Born | c. 1923 Reggio Calabria |
| Died | August 26, 1976 Poggioreale prison, Naples |
| Cause of death | Stabbed to death |
| Other names | Don Mico |
| Known for | Boss of the 'Ndrangheta clans in Reggio Calabria |
| Allegiance | 'Ndrangheta |
| Motive | Power struggle during the First 'Ndrangheta war |
Domenico Tripodo (Reggio Calabria, ca. 1923 − Naples, August 26, 1976) was an Italian criminal and a historical and charismatic boss of the 'Ndrangheta dominating the city of Reggio Calabria and the surrounding areas. Also known as Don Mico Tripodo he was one of the most powerful 'Ndrangheta bosses of his time, held in high respect by his criminal associates.
Tripodo rose to power by ousting the old Reggio boss Domenico Strati after a two-year conflict in 1958-59. In the 1960s, he formed a sort of triumvirate with Antonio Macrì, the boss of the city of Siderno and Girolamo Mommo Piromalli, head of the most powerful 'ndrina on the Tyrrhenian coast. The triumvirate’s senior position was recognized by all other family chiefs and their advice was in most cases followed without protest.
Tripodo acquired considerable financial resources through tobacco smuggling. He had relations with the Sicilian Mafia and was the "compare d’anello" (a kind of best man and trusted friend) of Mafia boss Totò Riina at his wedding in 1974. According to Enzo Ciconte, a specialist on the 'Ndrangheta and a consultant for the Antimafia Commission, that would only be possible if they would be considered to be of the same rank.
Don Mico was a traditional 'Ndrangheta capobastone who, together with Macrì, opposed to new developments in the organisation such as the entry into kidnapping and drug trafficking, as well as the formation of the Santa, a secret society within the 'Ndrangheta established in the early 1970s to maximize the power and invisibility of the most important bosses.
Tripodo was opposed by his former underbosses in Reggio, the De Stefano brothers. They won a monopoly of construction work in northern Reggio Calabria, moving the rival Tripodo group out of the market of public work contracts with the support of the Piromalli and Mammolito clans. They also robbed a shipment of smuggled tobacco belonging to Tripodo. The various disagreement led to bloodshed in the First 'Ndrangheta war, which took place in 1974-76. Tripodo tried to strike first, killing Giovanni De Stefano in 1974.
...
Wikipedia