01x01 - The British Connection

[bunniefuu]

(bell clangs)

CONTINUITY ANNOUNCER:

We now go over to London

for the latest national

and international news.

for the latest national

and international news.

REPORTER: Police

made a bizarre discovery.

Hanging under Blackfriars Bridge

was the body of a man.

Hanging under Blackfriars Bridge

was the body of a man.

The body was hanging

from scaffolding

underneath the bridge in London.

ROSS KEMP: On the 18th of June 1982,

a corpse was found

under this bridge in central London.

(bell clangs)

REPORTER: He'd been dead

between two and six hours.

(bell)

(bell)

- Five bricks were found

in his clothes

..plus £7,300 in assorted currency.

..plus £7,300 in assorted currency.

KEMP: Details

made the death suspicious.

REPORTER: The injuries

suggest that he'd been k*lled

some time earlier his body

brought here

some time earlier his body

brought here

..and left hanging

to fool the authorities.

REPORTER: There is now

growing suspicion

..that he was m*rder*d.

(bell)

KEMP: The body was identified

as Roberto Calvi.

KEMP: The body was identified

as Roberto Calvi.

REPORTER: The head

of a large, private Italian bank.

REPORTER: The head

of a large, private Italian bank.

He was known as 'God's Banker.'

REPORTER: Signor Calvi's

widow and son

maintain that he was m*rder*d

maintain that he was m*rder*d

in a plot

which implicates the Italian Mafia.

(bell)

REPORTER: It involved the Mafia.

REPORTER: ..the Mafia.

(bell)

- It was almost

the perfect m*rder.

- It was almost

the perfect m*rder.

- Up until the death

of Roberto Calvi, it was assumed

that the Mafia had no business here.

But with his m*rder,

that the Mafia had no business here.

But with his m*rder,

it seemed that they were here

and able to operate with impunity.

So just how far did the Mafia's

tentacles extend throughout Britain?

I'm on a journey to find out.

I'm on a journey to find out.

(grave music)

KEMP: The Mafia is one of

the oldest organised crime groups

KEMP: The Mafia is one of

the oldest organised crime groups

in the world, dating back

to the 19th century in rural Italy.

Over two centuries, its influence

has spread across the globe.

- The rackets

have become too widespread,

too well-organised, and too rich.

too well-organised, and too rich.

KEMP: Smuggling, protection rackets,

robbery, drugs and m*rder.

robbery, drugs and m*rder.

- This is

the eighth Camorra k*lling in Naples

in six days.

in six days.

KEMP: Bound by rules and rituals,

and led by charismatic characters,

the Mafia has inspired

countless books,

the Mafia has inspired

countless books,

movies and television series.

But are they operating in the UK?

And could they have k*lled,

in plain sight, in central London?

- Nice to meet you.

KEMP: Peter Bleksley

- Nice to meet you.

KEMP: Peter Bleksley

was a Metropolitan Police detective

in 1982.

- Peter, can you remember

the morning

- Peter, can you remember

the morning

that Roberto Calvi's body was found

hanging underneath this bridge?

- As if it was yesterday.

For a slightly overweight,

not very physically able

For a slightly overweight,

not very physically able

62-year-old man

to clamber over a bridge,

62-year-old man

to clamber over a bridge,

navigate some pretty complex

and dangerous scaffolding,

almost like an acrobat,

to then tie a rope to it,

almost like an acrobat,

to then tie a rope to it,

the other end around his neck,

weigh himself down with bricks

and jump into the River Thames

what?

and jump into the River Thames

what?

- So you think m*rder first?

- Yeah.

- So you think m*rder first?

- Yeah.

- Anything else on the body?

- About $14,000 in mixed currency,

lira and Swiss francs and suchlike.

lira and Swiss francs and suchlike.

He had a false passport on him.

Roberto Calvi had been

chairman of a bank,

Roberto Calvi had been

chairman of a bank,

and in that bank had been

a lot of money

belonging to the Vatican. That's why

Calvi was known as 'God's Banker.'

belonging to the Vatican. That's why

Calvi was known as 'God's Banker.'

And there were some other people

had a very keen interest in him.

And there were some other people

had a very keen interest in him.

- What other people?

- The Mafia.

Roberto Calvi was part of

a masonic brotherhood called P2,

Roberto Calvi was part of

a masonic brotherhood called P2,

who were linked to the Mafia,

otherwise known as the Black Friars.

who were linked to the Mafia,

otherwise known as the Black Friars.

And the location,

Blackfriars Bridge.

- There was some symbolism

to what had happened here?

- Yes.

If you're going to k*ll someone,

and you're going to send out

messages, this k*lling had plenty.

and you're going to send out

messages, this k*lling had plenty.

- This is all adding up

to an example k*lling.

It's in a very, very public place.

- In London.

It's in a very, very public place.

- In London.

The Mafia were clearly saying,

"You can never rest easy,

you can never sleep soundly.

"You can never rest easy,

you can never sleep soundly.

Because wherever you go,

we'll find you."

KEMP: The m*rder of God's Banker

under Blackfriars Bridge

is still officially unsolved.

is still officially unsolved.

If the Mafia did k*ll him,

who carried out the hit, and why?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Professor John Dickie

has tried to unravel the case.

Professor John Dickie

has tried to unravel the case.

So John, why would the Mafia

want Calvi out of the way?

- Well, Calvi was already

deep, deep in trouble.

- Well, Calvi was already

deep, deep in trouble.

His bank was spiralling,

he'd been prosecuted

for various banking offences,

and he's becoming more and more

desperate for money

and he's becoming more and more

desperate for money

to plug the holes in his empire.

And it's at this point, we think

he gets in touch

And it's at this point, we think

he gets in touch

with the Sicilian Mafia,

and that this is where

things really start

to get dangerous.

- Because Calvi

starts to lose Mafia money?

- Because Calvi

starts to lose Mafia money?

- He starts to lose Mafia money.

- Very, very good reasons

for getting rid of him.

- Absolutely.

- So what is he doing in London?

- It may well be

that he was looking around

for more money to try

and save his banks,

using his contacts in the City.

using his contacts in the City.

KEMP: Calvi thought London

was a safe place to go,

but John's research has uncovered

dangerous Mafia operatives

but John's research has uncovered

dangerous Mafia operatives

who were in Britain at the time.

- There was a guy

called Francesco Di Carlo in London,

who was a member

of the Sicilian Mafia.

who was a member

of the Sicilian Mafia.

'Frankie The Strangler',

they called him.

- So Di Carlo is suspected

of being the m*rder*r?

- Yeah. But he says:

of being the m*rder*r?

- Yeah. But he says:

"Actually, they did ask me to do it.

But by the time I got back in touch

with them, they said,

'Actually,

we've already sorted it out.

'Actually,

we've already sorted it out.

We've given it to members

of the Neapolitan Mafia to do.'"

- Right.

- The Neapolitans that Di Carlo says

- Right.

- The Neapolitans that Di Carlo says

did it, one of them dies

six months or so later

in a car b*mb in Rome.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- And then the other one,

Sergio Vaccari,

gets stabbed to death in London.

He's stabbed in the mouth,

which some people speculate

is some kind of Mafia signal

for keeping your mouth

- Shut.

for keeping your mouth

- Shut.

And bricks are found

on his body.

- Bricks?

- Rather in the same style as Calvi.

- So John, potentially

Calvi and the man that was suspected

of murdering him

were both k*lled here

on British soil?

were both k*lled here

on British soil?

- Yeah. For me,

that's the most likely explanation.

KEMP: No-one

was ever brought to justice

KEMP: No-one

was ever brought to justice

for these vicious murders.

Whoever k*lled Calvi

successfully covered their tracks.

Whoever k*lled Calvi

successfully covered their tracks.

So was the m*rder of God's Banker

a one-off,

or were there other active

Mafia cells operating in the UK?

or were there other active

Mafia cells operating in the UK?

I start looking for more evidence.

There are very few news articles

that refer to the Mafia in the UK

There are very few news articles

that refer to the Mafia in the UK

over the last 50 years.

But one report from 2007

catches my eye.

But one report from 2007

catches my eye.

- He's wanted by Italian police

in connection with four murders.

But after a year on the run,

But after a year on the run,

officers have finally

caught up with Gennaro Panzuto.

He wasn't found in Palermo,

but near Preston.

KEMP: Preston is a world away

from a Mob w*r in Naples.

This seems too far-fetched

to be true,

so I've headed north

to find out more.

so I've headed north

to find out more.

- Hello there. Ross.

Pleased to meet you.

In 2006, Mick Bury was living

in a caravan park

In 2006, Mick Bury was living

in a caravan park

when a new neighbour arrived.

His name was Gennaro Panzuto.

- Coming in?

- Yeah, love to.

- Coming in?

- Yeah, love to.

How did you

first meet Gennaro Panzuto?

How did you

first meet Gennaro Panzuto?

- What happened was, the kids

come knocking on my door:

"See, Mick? See, Mick?

The Italian guy's

just reversed into your car."

I went, "Y'what?"

just reversed into your car."

I went, "Y'what?"

So I come blazing over,

banging on t'door:

"Can't y'see?"

- "What've you done to my car?"

He give me two hundred quid.

A bit extra?

- A bit extra, yeah. I thought:

"Oh, this is alright."

He said, "Don't go

talking about it."

He said, "Don't go

talking about it."

- Didn't want the police involved?

- No, definitely.

- You've got pictures of him.

- Yeah.

- Good-looking lad, ain't he?

- Very smart, very smart.

- He must have stood out?

- Well, he did.

I mean, he was an Italian, smooth,

charmed,

with a bit of swagger.

with a bit of swagger.

- Not the guy you'd normally find

in this location.

- Exactly, exactly.

But he mixed with everybody.

- He was very friendly?

But he mixed with everybody.

- He was very friendly?

- Yeah, very. Used to buy a round,

a pub round of drinks.

Then he'd have barbecues.

It was good, everybody liked him.

Then he'd have barbecues.

It was good, everybody liked him.

KEMP: Panzuto only stayed

at the caravan park a few months.

KEMP: Panzuto only stayed

at the caravan park a few months.

He soon upgraded

to a three-bedroom house

on the outskirts of Preston.

So this is the house?

- Yeah, this is the house.

- Ever see anybody else come and go?

- Yeah, quite a few people

flying over. Italian.

- Yeah, quite a few people

flying over. Italian.

- So flying over from Italy?

- Yeah.

- The most unlikely of locations,

I would suggest.

- The most unlikely of locations,

I would suggest.

Mick and Gennaro remained friends,

until one day in May 2007.

until one day in May 2007.

- Everything kicked off.

- Police, coming upstairs!

- Armed police?

- Yeah, and said,

- Armed police?

- Yeah, and said,

"Is there any g*ns in the house?"

KEMP: Mick learned the reason

for the raid from news reports.

- The Italian authorities say

they're more used to tracing

their Mafia suspects t

o the South of France or Spain

than to semi-detached houses

in Lancashire.

than to semi-detached houses

in Lancashire.

- It seemed surreal.

- It was so unlikely.

- It was so unlikely.

It was just Couldn't make it up,

you just couldn't.

you just couldn't.

KEMP: Lancashire seems like

a peculiar choice

for a Mafia mobster.

So why did he go there?

So why did he go there?

One of Britain's

foremost authorities on the Mafia,

One of Britain's

foremost authorities on the Mafia,

Professor Felia Allum,

has tracked the case.

Felia, Preston is not the place

that automatically comes to mind

Felia, Preston is not the place

that automatically comes to mind

when you mention the word 'Mafia.'

- No, and that's the point:

when you mention the word 'Mafia.'

- No, and that's the point:

they're invisible there.

We've got somebody

who's come to the UK, who's wanted

for Mafia association in Italy.

who's come to the UK, who's wanted

for Mafia association in Italy.

- But that is just a specific crime

of association, or being a member,

not an actual crime, which could be

m*rder, drug

- No, but in Italy, it is a crime.

But the British authorities

- No, but in Italy, it is a crime.

But the British authorities

don't have the same lengths,

don't have that crime to look for.

So in the UK, you can hide

quite easily.

So in the UK, you can hide

quite easily.

- Hiding in plain sight.

- Exactly.

KEMP: So who was Panzuto

on the run from?

KEMP: So who was Panzuto

on the run from?

- There are various Mafias

linked to different regions.

- In Italy?

- In Italy.

- In Italy?

- In Italy.

Gennaro was part of the Camorra,

up in Naples.

- What are they?

- It's urban, based in the city.

They're clans, they're families

that come together to intimidate,

to impose extortion,

or to silence people.

to impose extortion,

or to silence people.

KEMP: But was Gennaro Panzuto

just hiding here,

or was he also conducting

Mafia business in Britain?

or was he also conducting

Mafia business in Britain?

- Once they're here, they're likely

to be involved in things

which are ill*gal,

it's all they know.

- They've grown up in that

environment, it's what they do.

Where is he now?

- I think he's now in Italy,

Where is he now?

- I think he's now in Italy,

and I think he has done his time

and has come out of protection.

KEMP: To get the full story,

I need to speak to Panzuto myself.

KEMP: To get the full story,

I need to speak to Panzuto myself.

I asked Felia

to use her connections in Italy

to try and get a number for him.

And I managed to make contact.

I'm in Italy.

Gennaro Panzuto

has agreed to talk to me.

KEMP: I'm investigating

Britain's links to the Mafia.

For years, it has been assumed

the UK had little connection

For years, it has been assumed

the UK had little connection

with the infamous

Italian crime group.

But in 2007, a Mafia associate

by the name of Gennaro Panzuto

But in 2007, a Mafia associate

by the name of Gennaro Panzuto

was found living in Lancashire.

I've come to Naples to meet him.

This area is called La Torretta.

It means 'little tower'.

This area is called La Torretta.

It means 'little tower'.

This is the area

where Gennaro Panzuto grew up.

This is the area

where Gennaro Panzuto grew up.

Naples is the birthplace

of the Camorra,

a violent urban branch

of the Mafia

a violent urban branch

of the Mafia

divided into clans that control

specific areas of the city.

Each clan has a boss

and hundreds of soldiers.

Before we meet,

Panzuto has warned me

Before we meet,

Panzuto has warned me

that some clans in the city

still want him dead.

Gennaro?

- Hey.

Gennaro?

- Hey.

- Ross Kemp.

- Gennaro Panzuto.

KEMP: So we are meeting

at a secret location.

KEMP: So we are meeting

at a secret location.

Do I sit? Grazie.

Panzuto starts by telling me

how he first came into contact

Panzuto starts by telling me

how he first came into contact

with the Camorra.

Gennaro was soon recruited

by a Camorra clan

Gennaro was soon recruited

by a Camorra clan

and sent to work

for his new boss.

You personally

went after the soldiers

You personally

went after the soldiers

of the boss of the other clan?

- Yeah.

Gennaro used violence

to rise quickly through the ranks.

But Naples

was about to descend into chaos.

But Naples

was about to descend into chaos.

In the early 2000s,

fighting broke out

In the early 2000s,

fighting broke out

between two of the largest

Camorra clans

for control of drugs in the city.

It was one of the bloodiest

conflicts in Naples' history.

Hundreds of people were k*lled.

(sirens wail)

- Hundreds of extra police

have been sent to Naples.

REPORTER: There's more police

per person

than any other city in Europe.

than any other city in Europe.

- Why do you choose

to go to the United Kingdom?

- Why do you choose

to go to the United Kingdom?

So you've met these guys

in the port. They're criminals.

So you've met these guys

in the port. They're criminals.

- Sì.

- You've agreed to go to Britain.

Where do you fly to?

- A Preston.

- What did you think of Preston

- A Preston.

- What did you think of Preston

when you got there?

Not looking over your shoulder,

waiting for somebody to come for you

with a g*n, right?

- Yeah, exactly.

In England, my life is normal.

In England, my life is normal.

KEMP: In Preston, Gennaro

started to work on fraud scams

with his British criminal contacts.

with his British criminal contacts.

What did you have to do?

What did you have to do?

From his hiding place in Preston,

Gennaro carried on

playing a key role

in the Camorra fighting

that raged on in Naples.

in the Camorra fighting

that raged on in Naples.

You're able to travel

back and forth?

You're k*lling people

when you come here?

You're k*lling people

when you come here?

Can you remember

how many lives you've taken?

With the bodies mounting up

in Naples,

the clan bosses needed somewhere

away from police scrutiny

the clan bosses needed somewhere

away from police scrutiny

to meet and negotiate.

Guys from Naples,

Camorra associates,

came across to England?

So according to Gennaro,

So according to Gennaro,

the gathering of Italians

at the house in Preston

Mick Bury told me about

was actually a peace summit

Mick Bury told me about

was actually a peace summit

for Mafia bosses.

Gennaro claims

his Lancashire summit worked,

Gennaro claims

his Lancashire summit worked,

and the clans came to

an uneasy truce.

But his time on the run

was coming to an end.

In May 2007, Italian authorities

finally tracked him down

to Lancashire and extradited him

back to Italy,

to Lancashire and extradited him

back to Italy,

where he was convicted of crimes

including m*rder, drug trafficking

where he was convicted of crimes

including m*rder, drug trafficking

and Mafia association.

You're now facing multiple life

sentences. What do you decide to do?

You're now facing multiple life

sentences. What do you decide to do?

After fourteen years inside,

Gennaro decided to give evidence

against the Camorra

in exchange for his freedom.

against the Camorra

in exchange for his freedom.

The terminology, I believe,

is a 'pentito?'

Are you not in fear of your life

every second of the day?

Are you not in fear of your life

every second of the day?

For over a year,

Gennaro Panzuto travelled

For over a year,

Gennaro Panzuto travelled

from the UK to Italy,

committing m*rder.

He even arranged a Mafia summit

here.

Preston was the perfect place

to hide out,

because no-one suspected it

and nobody was looking.

because no-one suspected it

and nobody was looking.

But has Britain ever been more than

just a hiding place for the Mafia?

Have they ever had

a fully operational cell in the UK?

Have they ever had

a fully operational cell in the UK?

I comb old news articles,

looking for evidence

of something bigger,

and I think I find it

this time in Scotland.

and I think I find it

this time in Scotland.

Aberdeen is probably the last place,

you'd think,

that would be home

to a Mafia organisation.

that would be home

to a Mafia organisation.

REPORTER: An Aberdeen businessman

is accused

of being the godfather

of a Mafia crime g*ng

and a catalogue of crimes,

including racketeering,

and a catalogue of crimes,

including racketeering,

extortion and violence.

KEMP: I'm on a mission

to investigate

KEMP: I'm on a mission

to investigate

Britain's links with the Mafia.

So far I've uncovered a hitman

and a m*rder.

So far I've uncovered a hitman

and a m*rder.

Now I'm on the trail of something

potentially much bigger,

in the northeast of Scotland

in the northeast of Scotland

..a story that takes us back

over 30 years.

..a story that takes us back

over 30 years.

In the 1980s,

natural resources from the North Sea

In the 1980s,

natural resources from the North Sea

were coming ashore

in northeast Scotland.

The City of Aberdeen

was the oil capital of Europe,

home to cash-rich executives

eager to splash out on luxury meals.

home to cash-rich executives

eager to splash out on luxury meals.

So it wasn't a surprise

when a high-end Italian restaurant

opened up in the early '90s.

when a high-end Italian restaurant

opened up in the early '90s.

So Norman, this was it, yeah?

- This was it: Pavarotti's.

- "A real taste of Italy.'

- In more ways than one.

- "A real taste of Italy.'

- In more ways than one.

KEMP: At the time, Norman Silvester

was investigating criminal activity

KEMP: At the time, Norman Silvester

was investigating criminal activity

in the city.

- Pavarotti's was owned by a man

called Antonio La Torre

- Pavarotti's was owned by a man

called Antonio La Torre

..who had come from Mondragone

in southern Italy.

- Outside Naples?

- Outside Naples.

- Outside Naples?

- Outside Naples.

- What was he like?

- Very personable, well-spoken.

Very much the ideal host.

But by the early 1990s, my contacts

were telling me about this chap,

that there was more to him

than met the eye. His family

that there was more to him

than met the eye. His family

were a Mafia clan in southern Italy

involved in extortion

and intimidation.

They ran protection rackets,

and intimidation.

They ran protection rackets,

they were involved in drug-dealing,

counterfeit money, robbery,

all manner of crimes, generating

large sums for the family.

all manner of crimes, generating

large sums for the family.

KEMP: Norman decided to investigate

La Torre's life in Aberdeen.

KEMP: Norman decided to investigate

La Torre's life in Aberdeen.

This is where La Torre lived?

- Yes.

- Above a butcher's?

- Living above a butcher's shop.

- Above a butcher's?

- Living above a butcher's shop.

Discreet, off the main street.

No luxury lifestyle. Just a normal,

everyday family home.

No luxury lifestyle. Just a normal,

everyday family home.

- He is very, very normal,

apart from one thing.

- He's a member of one of

the biggest crime families in Italy.

- He's a member of one of

the biggest crime families in Italy.

KEMP: Over the next few years,

La Torre expanded his business

KEMP: Over the next few years,

La Torre expanded his business

and opened a second restaurant

in Aberdeen.

In the 1980s and '90s, the quantity

of drugs coming into Scotland

In the 1980s and '90s, the quantity

of drugs coming into Scotland

was growing exponentially.

- The use of hard drugs

has reached epidemic proportions.

Unless action is taken, the crisis

will be out of control.

Unless action is taken, the crisis

will be out of control.

- There was large amounts of cocaine

being brought into Scotland by sea

- There was large amounts of cocaine

being brought into Scotland by sea

in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

(ship horn sounds)

Antonio La Torre had already

established a trade route

Antonio La Torre had already

established a trade route

from Naples for his own restaurants,

all sorts of drugs being traded

as well, but there was never

any proof

as well, but there was never

any proof

that he was directly involved.

KEMP: There was never any evidence

that La Torre

was importing drugs into Aberdeen.

was importing drugs into Aberdeen.

But in 2001, the authorities

in Italy started an investigation

But in 2001, the authorities

in Italy started an investigation

looking into La Torre's family.

- Italian authorities

start tapping phone calls

- Italian authorities

start tapping phone calls

coming in to clan members.

- (man speaking Italian)

- We're hearing discussions

about criminal operations,

but there were also phone calls

about criminal operations,

but there were also phone calls

oming into Italy from Aberdeen.

KEMP: The voice they heard

was that of Antonio La Torre.

KEMP: The voice they heard

was that of Antonio La Torre.

- It's all on the phone,

calling daily to his brother.

They always referred to 'sausages'

and 'movement.'

They always referred to 'sausages'

and 'movement.'

- Either he was buying

a lot of sausages

or he was moving a lot of cash.

- Exactly, it was money.

He's using the cover of Aberdeen

to launder £500,000 a month

He's using the cover of Aberdeen

to launder £500,000 a month

through restaurants.

- A month?

- Turning dirty money, drugs money,

into good money.

- Turning dirty money, drugs money,

into good money.

KEMP: The wire taps revealed

that La Torre's Scottish restaurants

were fronts for a Mafia operation.

that La Torre's Scottish restaurants

were fronts for a Mafia operation.

- He was the head of one of

the biggest crime clans

in the south of Italy.

- He was the head

of a Camorra crime family.

of a Camorra crime family.

In 2005, the Italian authorities

issued an extradition request

to Scottish police.

(sirens wailing)

to Scottish police.

(sirens wailing)

- La Torre's aware the net's

closing in. So he goes on the run.

Hides out in Inverness,

Dundee, Stirling.

Hides out in Inverness,

Dundee, Stirling.

- How long was he actually

on the run for?

- A period of several months,

but he's running out of places

to hide.

but he's running out of places

to hide.

Eventually he's arrested

in Aberdeen.

- Antonio La Torre is facing

a 13-year jail sentence in Naples,

- Antonio La Torre is facing

a 13-year jail sentence in Naples,

after being convicted there

of a catalogue of crimes,

including racketeering, extortion

and violence.

KEMP: Despite his convictions

in Italy,

La Torre was never tried in the UK.

Aberdeen is probably

the last place, you'd think,

that would be home

to a Mafia organisation,

that would be home

to a Mafia organisation,

but that is what made it

the perfect place

for Antonio La Torre to run

an international criminal enterprise

for Antonio La Torre to run

an international criminal enterprise

that went undetected

for years and years.

(bell tolls)

(bell tolls)

La Torre may have been the only man

to be arrested,

but he must have had help here.

but he must have had help here.

So there's little doubt

that the Mafia had been operating

in the UK. But how long

has this been going on for?

in the UK. But how long

has this been going on for?

Steven.

- Hey, Ross.

- Nice to see you.

- Nice to meet you.

- How are you? Alright?

- Good, yeah. Good.

- How are you? Alright?

- Good, yeah. Good.

KEMP: In the 1980s and '90s,

Stephen Gillen was a major player

in London's gangland.

Stephen Gillen was a major player

in London's gangland.

He served 12 years in prison

for organised crime offences

alongside members

of the Italian Mafia.

alongside members

of the Italian Mafia.

During your time inside,

you actually met up

with some of the Mafia.

you actually met up

with some of the Mafia.

- Yeah, I knew a lot of these guys.

In Whitemoor,

I met Francesco Di Carlo.

- He was the one that was implicated

I met Francesco Di Carlo.

- He was the one that was implicated

in the death of God's Banker,

Calvi, under Blackfriars Bridge.

In prison, Stephen saw firsthand

their strength as a criminal entity.

In prison, Stephen saw firsthand

their strength as a criminal entity.

- It's not just an organisation,

it's a way of life.

They're referred into this life,

put forward

for an initiation process.

They would put a picture

of a saint in their hand.

They would put a picture

of a saint in their hand.

They would set a light to this.

That's the saints

burning in their hand. They'd swear

That's the saints

burning in their hand. They'd swear

that they would die

if they betrayed the codes

of La Cosa Nostra.

You have a hierarchical structure:

soldato, soldier,

soldato, soldier,

capo, captains of a crew.

Then you'd go up.

You've got consigliere,

Then you'd go up.

You've got consigliere,

which is advisor,

underboss, boss.

KEMP: This hierarchy evolved

over centuries, in Sicily and Italy.

KEMP: This hierarchy evolved

over centuries, in Sicily and Italy.

Then,

the structure for organised crime

was franchised

by migrant communities

was franchised

by migrant communities

all over the world.

We're in Hatton Garden now.

We go right here, do we?

- Yeah, go right here

to Little Italy.

- Yeah, go right here

to Little Italy.

KEMP: By the 1930s,

families from rural Italy

KEMP: By the 1930s,

families from rural Italy

had settled in the slums of London.

- The person who rises up

very, very prominently,

- The person who rises up

very, very prominently,

very brutally,

is Charles 'Darby' Sabini.

He really comes up

the old-school way,

which is blood and guts

and brutal street smarts.

He's soon into gambling

in the neighbourhood,

He's soon into gambling

in the neighbourhood,

aligned to influential

Jewish and Italian bookmakers.

- So these bookmakers

, they need to be protected,

- So these bookmakers

, they need to be protected,

so no-one robs them.

Is that how it works?

- Yeah, but it's a bit contrived,

Ross.

Let's be clear about it. Yeah.

He's going to them and saying,

Let's be clear about it. Yeah.

He's going to them and saying,

"You need protection,

pretty much from us.'

He soon has 300 people under him,

you know?

He soon has 300 people under him,

you know?

- 300?!

- 300 people, right?

He even imports gunmen from Sicily.

'Darby' Sabini was the undisputed

godfather in that era.

'Darby' Sabini was the undisputed

godfather in that era.

KEMP: But even criminal godfather

Sabini wasn't strictly Mafia.

KEMP: But even criminal godfather

Sabini wasn't strictly Mafia.

He hadn't sworn an oath

to the brotherhood,

and his mother was Scottish.

and his mother was Scottish.

To be a Mafia member, you have to be

a full-blooded Italian.

So Sabini isn't Mafia.

So Sabini isn't Mafia.

When do the actual Mafia

come to the UK?

- They actually infiltrated here

in the 1960s,

- They actually infiltrated here

in the 1960s,

but there's a very important

distinction to make here:

this is not the Italian branch.

This is the US Mafia,

the American Mob.

KEMP: The American Mob

were largely descendants

of Sicilian Mafia,

migrant crime families

of Sicilian Mafia,

migrant crime families

who made fortunes

selling bad alcohol

during Prohibition in the US,

during Prohibition in the US,

and used it

to build powerful empires.

By the 1960s, the infamous

Five Families of New York

dominated organised crime

in America.

So what were they doing in the UK?

So what were they doing in the UK?

Stephen is taking me to meet

an extraordinary criminal contact

who encountered them at the time.

- Hey, Bobby. Hey, how you doing?

Bob, this is Ross.

- My pleasure.

- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.

- Bobby McKew.

- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.

- Bobby McKew.

KEMP: Bobby soon reveals

the American Mob's operation

in London.

So Bobby, part of your job:

take the Mafia out for dinner.

- It's about business.

KEMP: I'm investigating links

between Britain

KEMP: I'm investigating links

between Britain

and the Italian Mafia.

So far, I've uncovered

Mafia operations in Aberdeen,

So far, I've uncovered

Mafia operations in Aberdeen,

Preston and London.

Now I'm trying to find out why,

and how,

Now I'm trying to find out why,

and how,

the powerful American-Italian Mafia

came to Britain in the 1960s.

- My pleasure.

- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.

- My pleasure.

- Pleasure to meet you, Bobby.

- Bobby. Bobby McKew.

KEMP: Bobby McKew is 99 years old,

KEMP: Bobby McKew is 99 years old,

and was part of London's

criminal underworld at the time.

Tell me who these people are?

- That's the Krays.

Tell me who these people are?

- That's the Krays.

I liked Ronnie. He was the g*y one.

I liked him.

I liked Ronnie. He was the g*y one.

I liked him.

I wasn't really keen on Reggie

terribly, but, in the end

you have to put both of them

together.

That's certainly Billy.

- Billy Hill, he was

the real godfather of London.

- Billy Hill, he was

the real godfather of London.

- I'd say you're right.

- How did you get involved with him?

- I did a few things for him.

He liked me.

- Yeah?

He liked me.

- Yeah?

Bobby's boss, Billy Hill,

ran London's criminal empire.

When gambling was legalised

in Britain in 1960,

it presented Hill and his associates

it presented Hill and his associates

with a unique opportunity.

- Suddenly they were able to open

betting offices, casinos everywhere.

- Suddenly they were able to open

betting offices, casinos everywhere.

Overnight, Britain became

the biggest gambling nation.

INTERVIEWER: What sort of people

are you hoping to attract here?

INTERVIEWER: What sort of people

are you hoping to attract here?

- Membership is open

to responsible persons

from all walks of life.

- If you know how, you can cheat.

- Do you have any idea

how much money was being made?

- Well, I was told they had

about £22m on one casino.

- Well, I was told they had

about £22m on one casino.

KEMP: £22m in the early 1960s

was the kind of money which made

even the American Mafia take notice.

was the kind of money which made

even the American Mafia take notice.

Having been kicked

out of their Havana casinos

Having been kicked

out of their Havana casinos

by Fidel Castro's

1959 Cuban revolution,

they turned their attention

to London.

They've lost Havana,

because there's been a revolution.

They've lost Havana,

because there's been a revolution.

- Yes.

- And all of a sudden,

gambling in the UK is now legal.

- A lot of Mafia people came over.

They wanted to come in

and have a casino.

They wanted to come in

and have a casino.

Angelo Bruno, he was very big.

- He was? This guy?

- Angelo Bruno.

He would have been in the casino

here, would have been his money.

Big boss.

- Carlo Gambino?

Big boss.

- Carlo Gambino?

Of the Gambino Family?

- Yes.

- Yeah, he was the head of it.

- He was the main man.

- And then of course,

a really, really big name:

- And then of course,

a really, really big name:

Meyer Lansky.

- He was the money man

for all the Mafia.

- You met John Gotti,

people like that?

- You met John Gotti,

people like that?

- I was introduced to John Gotti.

- These are big members

of the Five Families.

- These are big members

of the Five Families.

- These were the real architects

of organised crime in the States.

- Billy didn't want them coming in

at all,

because he was getting

all the money.

- Right.

- Nobody wanted the Mafia.

- Right.

- Nobody wanted the Mafia.

They didn't want the Americans

in here.

But you weren't rude to them,

I'll tell you that for nothing.

- Certainly not.

- When they used to come over,

- Certainly not.

- When they used to come over,

Billy, he'd tell me,

"Buy 'em dinner

when they come in," which I did.

- So Bobby, part of your job

working for Billy:

working for Billy:

take the Mafia out for dinner.

- Yes.

- Ultimately, it's about business.

It's about money.

- It's about business, and about

exactly.

- It's about business, and about

exactly.

KEMP: In the 1960s,

the American Mafia

took controlling stakes

in a number of London casinos,

took controlling stakes

in a number of London casinos,

including The Old Colony Sports Club

in Mayfair.

It was the beginning of The Mob's

relationship with Britain.

Not only was this country a place

for the Mafia to hide and operate,

Not only was this country a place

for the Mafia to hide and operate,

I'm now uncovering evidence

of a much deeper relationship

I'm now uncovering evidence

of a much deeper relationship

with the Mob.

So how far did it extend

..and how deep did it go?

If I really want to find out

how much influence the Mafia's had

in the UK, where should I go?

- If you really want to know

the story

of all these heavyweight guys,

there's only one place you to go,

of all these heavyweight guys,

there's only one place you to go,

and that's to the US.

This is where the real story is.

This is where the real story is.

Thank you.

- My pleasure.

- So the American Mafia

was involved in casino money,

- So the American Mafia

was involved in casino money,

in London, in the '60s.

And there's a saying:

'If you want to find out the truth,

then follow the money.'

'If you want to find out the truth,

then follow the money.'

On the Mafia and Britain next time:

I'm in Philadelphia,

where a Mob member reveals

I'm in Philadelphia,

where a Mob member reveals

their relationship with two

notorious British gangsters.

- Ronnie and Reggie.

- The Krays?

- Ronnie and Reggie.

- The Krays?

- The Krays, yeah.

We didn't know

how crazy The Krays were.

A ton of heat came down.

KEMP: Miami sees

A ton of heat came down.

KEMP: Miami sees

a new generation of Mafia establish

an international crime syndicate.

Colombians, Cubans, Mob guys,

making lots and lots of money.

Colombians, Cubans, Mob guys,

making lots and lots of money.

What were the police doing?

- A lot of them were corrupt.

There was a crew of cops

that were k*lling people.

There was a crew of cops

that were k*lling people.

KEMP: And I uncover the role

a British Mafia cell played

KEMP: And I uncover the role

a British Mafia cell played

exporting drugs into America.

The Coana Family

have a representative in London.

Where in London, do you know?

- Woking.

Where in London, do you know?

- Woking.

- Woking, Surrey?

- Yeah. Surrey, yes.

- Are you kidding me?

- No.

(grave music)