Italy police arrest woman mafia boss, 24 others in Palermo dragnet
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Police in the Sicilian capital of Palermo scooped up 25 suspected mobsters on an array of charges on Tuesday, including a woman accused of filling in as boss for her imprisoned husband.
More than 200 police, two helicopters and five canine units took part in the early morning roundup of the suspects. They are accused of extortion, handling stolen goods, vandalism and being mafia members, according to the arrest warrant seen by Reuters.
Her husband, Salvatore "Salvino eyes of ice" Madonia, who is in jail for murder. Police said she carried messages from her husband to clan members and organised monthly payments to the families of imprisoned mobsters.
She also designated who should be running the mob family's business, or who should be "acting boss", on behalf of her husband.
"For all intents and purposes, she acts like a real man," a turncoat told investigators, according to the court documents.
