Francesco Barbaro (Castanu)

Francesco Barbaro is a boss of the 'Ndrangheta a Mafia like organization in Italy

Born in Platì, he is the head of the Barbaro 'ndrina. He was known as the king of kidnapping in the 1980s.[1] He became a member of La Provincia, a provincial commission of the 'Ndrangheta formed at the end of the Second 'Ndrangheta war in September 1991, to avoid further internal conflicts.[2]

'Ndrangheta heritage
In the 1950s the clan was involved in a bloody feud with the Mammoliti 'ndrina from Castellace in the municipality of Oppido Mamertina. In the end the Mammoliti clan prevailed and the Barbaros moved back to Platì.[3]

Many of the 'Ndrangheta clans in Platì, such as Trimboli, Sergi, Romeo, Papalia and Marando are associated through blood relations, which center around the Barbaro.[4] [5]

Platì has been called the "cradle of kidnapping" and it is suspected that kidnap victims were held within a complex network of underground tunnels.[6] The money extorted with kidnappings was invested in drug trafficking and construction in northern Italy, in particularly around Buccinasco, near Milan.[7] The clan participated in a cartel of 'Ndrangheta families involved in cocaine trafficking with the Mafia family of Mariano Agate.[8]

Arrest
He was arrested on January 5, 1989.[1] Over the years, Francesco’s son Giuseppe Barbaro took over the leadership of the clan from his aging father.[9] Giuseppe was included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy until his arrest on December 10, 2001.[10] Another son of Francesco, Rocco Barbaro, was arrested on February 8, 2003.[11]

One of his daughters married Giuseppe Pelle, one of the four sons of Antonio Pelle, the 'Ndrangheta boss from San Luca, securing a tight alliance between these two powerfull 'ndrine.[12]