Frontline World Season 8 Episode 1
Frontline World
Season 8

Ep 1. Taking on the Mafia

  • January 27, 2009

Taking on the Mafia is the first episode of the eighth season of Frontline/World. This episode focuses on the organized crime syndicate known as the Mafia, and the individuals and institutions working to bring them down.

The episode begins in Sicily, where a team of investigators is working to dismantle the Mafia's stranglehold on the local economy. By tracing the flow of money from illegal activities like extortion and drug trafficking, they are able to build cases against high-ranking mobsters and disrupt their operations.

Next, viewers travel to Calabria, a region of Italy where the Mafia is deeply entrenched and notoriously difficult to root out. Here, we meet a prosecutor who has dedicated her career to fighting the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian branch of the Mafia. Through her tireless efforts, she has won convictions against some of the organization's most powerful members and exposed the extent of their influence on local politics and businesses.

From Italy, the episode shifts to Mexico, where a brave journalist is investigating the links between the Mafia and the country's powerful drug cartels. He speaks to sources who reveal how the Mafia helps to launder money for the cartels and provides them with access to weapons and other resources. Despite the dangers involved in confronting these criminal groups, the journalist remains committed to exposing the truth and holding those responsible to account.

The final segment takes place in the United States, where a former Mafia informant is now living under witness protection. He recounts how he first got involved with the Mafia at a young age, and how he ultimately decided to turn against them and help the authorities bring down some of the most notorious gangsters in the country. His story is a reminder of the high stakes involved in taking on the Mafia, and the personal risks that individuals often have to take in order to bring them to justice.

Overall, Taking on the Mafia is a gripping and informative look at one of the world's most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations. Through interviews with investigators, prosecutors, journalists, and former mobsters, the episode provides a multifaceted and nuanced perspective on the fight against organized crime. Viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in battling the Mafia, as well as the determination and bravery of those who are committed to doing so.

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Description
  • First Aired
    January 27, 2009
  • Language
    English