For three decades, María Licciardi has reigned as the head of one of the most powerful criminal clans in Campania. Known for her strict rules and preference for stealth, Licciardi has carved out a unique and formidable presence in the world of organized crime.
At 70 years old, María Licciardi stands at just 1.5 meters tall with short hair and a cautious demeanor. Those who have encountered her describe her as having ice-cold eyes that seem to peer into one’s soul.
Rarely seen outside, she moves under the protection of her loyal guards in modest cars. Other clan leaders seek her out for advice and approval, as nothing in Naples happens without her knowledge.
She oversees all significant events, from baptisms to marriages, asserting her influence over the city’s criminal underworld.
Licciardi, also known as “mamma camorra” or “‘a piccerella,” was arrested at Ciampino Airport while attempting to flee to Spain.
For thirty years, she has led the Licciardi clan, a far cry from the ostentatious character Scianel from the series “Gomorrah,” who craves power and luxury.
Rules Above All
María Licciardi’s leadership is defined by strict adherence to a set of rules. At Masseria Cardone, her lifelong residence situated between Miano and Secondigliano, drug dealing is prohibited.
Addicts are unwelcome, as they attract both death and police attention. Licciardi prioritizes peace over conflict, believing that avoiding violent wars is the key to wealth. It has been over a decade since any killings occurred in Masseria Cardone, underlining her commitment to maintaining order and prosperity.
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Excesses are forbidden, with social media, tattoos, and graffiti being strictly off-limits. Licciardi insists that her affiliates remain invisible, blending in like secret agents.
They must patrol the territory daily but also integrate with the community, engaging with local markets and businesses while forming connections with entrepreneurs, white-collar professionals, and law enforcement.
A Camorrist Welfare System
The Licciardi clan’s funds are primarily used to support imprisoned members and their families, ensuring no one feels abandoned. These rules, established by María herself, have allowed her to maintain a firm grip on the organization, even when her brother Vincenzo was captured after twenty years on the run in 2008.
When the Sacco-Bocchetti faction attempted to break away and terrorize San Pietro a Patierno, she chose to concede some territory to avoid annihilation, much to the surprise of her followers.
Licciardi always keeps a suitcase packed, ostensibly to visit her daughter in Spain, who owns a fashion atelier. However, she uses this as an excuse to leave the city whenever she senses imminent danger.
This strategy almost saved her from capture on the night of June 26, 2019. She attempted to flee again recently when she was apprehended at the airport by the ROS unit.
Her life of evasion began in the early 1990s when she was tasked with stopping Costantino Sarno, a kingpin in smuggling, from turning state’s witness. Her rationality and cold demeanor made her the perfect choice to handle this delicate situation. Despite being caught with 300 million lire in cash, intended to bribe Sarno, she managed to evade arrest for years, becoming one of Italy’s most wanted criminals.
Arrest and Incarceration
In 2001, the Naples Anti-Mafia Directorate requested her arrest for mafia association. She went underground, joining the ranks of Italy’s top 30 most wanted criminals and the only woman among them. Eventually, Sarno retracted his statements, solidifying Licciardi’s position at the top of the Secondigliano Alliance and Neapolitan criminal hierarchy. After two years on the run, she was captured in Melito, never having left her territory, much like traditional mafia godfathers. She served seven years in a high-security prison, where she continued to manage clan affairs.
Licciardi trusts only in family and economic partnerships. She believes in wielding violence subtly, integrating it into daily life rather than showcasing it theatrically. Family is the foundation of her empire, serving as the basis for all profit, blackmail, and conflict. Marriages are economic alliances, and children are both protection and inheritance. Friendships are temporary and valued only if they offer benefits.
Licciardi’s approach to crime mirrors unadulterated capitalism, prioritizing competition, strategic alliances, and calculated violence. She has managed to maintain peace and prosperity in her territory by adhering to these principles, ensuring long-term profitability.
Giuseppe Misso, a former powerful boss now turned state witness, describes María Licciardi as more dangerous than Matteo Messina Denaro. Misso’s firsthand experience with the Secondigliano Alliance underscores the ferocity of her leadership. Despite past family feuds and numerous attempts on her life, Licciardi has always prioritized profit and stability over reckless violence.
Today, she has forged alliances with various criminal groups, guaranteeing profits for all while maintaining a strict code of conduct within her territory. Licciardi’s ability to navigate the complex world of organized crime with prudence and ruthlessness has cemented her legacy as one of the most formidable figures in Italian mafia history.
