In Calabria, southern Italy there is a mountain massif called Aspromonte, "harsh mountain". The villages that hug the mountain slopes, places like San Luca, Natile and Platì are the birthplaces of the clans that make up what is collectively known as ‘Ndrangheta - one of the most powerful organized criminal syndicates in the world.
From these humble beginnings, the clans have spread their tentacles around the globe and become major players in the international illicit drug trade. And one of the ways they did this was by reinvesting money from one illicit act into another - kidnapping.
Over the next few podcasts we look through the eyes of Anna Sergi, a Calabrian native herself and an expert in the 'Ndrangheta. Anna's recent book 'Chasing the Mafia: 'Ndrangheta, Memories and Journeys' discusses her journey around the world looking for the 'Ndrangheta.
In this first episode Anna relays stories from her childhood and memories of 'The Kidnapping Season' which took place in the Aspromonte mountains around her.