Lidl at centre of mafia probe over fears mobsters have infiltrated supermarkets across Italy
Lidl itself is not suspected of any wrongdoing
COPS in Italy have arrested 14 people in Lombardy and Sicily during dawn raids over fears that the mafia has infiltrated Lidl supermarkets throughout the country.
A faction of Sicily's Cosa Nostra crime syndicate infiltrated several businesses across Italy, including the popular supermarket.
Four of the ten Lidl management sections in Italy are feared to have been infiltrated by gangsters, and were transferred into state control as a result.
However Lidl itself is not suspected of any wrongdoing.
The four management sections are thought to oversee up to 200 stores throughout Italy.
Ilda Boccassini, a judge based in Milan, said that the infiltration of so many businesses showed "an evolution of the system of corruption in Italy".
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He added that there was also "corruption [...] rampant in Milan".
Mr Boccassini said: "They knew the right people to bribe."
The gangsters are thought to have built companies in private security and logistics, which then went on to win contracts with Lidl and other businesses.
A Lidl spokeswoman told Sun Online: "Lidl Italy was informed of the investigations by the prosecutor on the morning of Monday 15th May.
"We are now working in close cooperation with the respective authorities to clarify the facts and, where appropriate, the allegations that have been made.
"We will provide an update on the matter in due course."
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