A face-to-face meeting between two mafia bosses occurred in a public construction site in Palermo, Sicily, in November 2024, a breach of the customary mafia practice of maintaining invisibility, according to investigators. The encounter involved Carmelo Vetro, the boss of Favara, and Giovanni Filardo, a cousin of Matteo Messina Denaro, and centered on ongoing criminal enterprises.
Investigators describe Vetro as eschewing overt intimidation tactics, preferring instead to operate through networks and relationships to infiltrate public economies and resolve disputes. Following his release from prison, Vetro reportedly cultivated connections with regional and local officials, including Giancarlo Teresi, a director within the regional infrastructure department, and Salvatore Iacolino, a manager. Prosecutors allege that Vetro secured public contracts through payments made to Teresi.
Evidence supporting these claims includes surveillance footage reportedly obtained within Teresi’s regional office. Relationships with Iacolino, however, are documented in reports detailing meetings at a bar in Agrigento and alleged support for Vetro’s political ambitions. Through Iacolino’s influence, Giovanni Aveni, an entrepreneur from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, allegedly received accreditation with the Messina Asp (local health authority). Iacolino was subsequently suspended from his position at the Policlinico di Messina.
The meeting between Vetro and Filardo took place on November 8, 2024, at the Polo Tecnologico in Castelvetrano, where posidonia seagrass, dredged from the port of Marinella di Selinunte, was being stored. Filardo had secured a sub-contract for the dredging function, with the billing handled through a compliant company to avoid scrutiny. During a phone call prior to the meeting, Filardo offered Aveni assistance with equipment, stating, “I’m always available if you demand any means, anything.”
Present at the meeting were Filardo’s brother, Matteo, and Vetro’s brother-in-law, Antonino Lombardo. The conversation reportedly touched upon internal mafia affairs, with Filardo lamenting the visibility of certain operations: “Everything is above us… it’s a disaster… in the middle of the street… and these gentlemen are going ahead… these scoundrels…” Filardo demonstrated awareness of Vetro’s criminal history, inquiring about Vetro’s father, Giuseppe Vetro, who died even as serving a life sentence.
Vetro confirmed his recent release from prison, and the conversation shifted to experiences within the Italian penal system, including time spent in Caserta, Nuoro, and Oristano. They discussed the importance of respect within the mafia hierarchy and adherence to territorial boundaries, stating, “Everyone for their own things.” The discussion also included references to other incarcerated bosses, including Michele Mercadante, who had recently been transferred to Oristano prison.
The men also spoke of Salvatore Mercadante, Michele’s son, and his previous avoidance of imprisonment. Filardo reportedly expressed concern about his son’s potential involvement in criminal activity, to which Vetro responded, “Don’t worry, things will get sorted out.” They also discussed Davide Riserbato, another incarcerated mafia figure from Mazara del Vallo, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among those in prison.
Investigators are currently examining whether Vetro and Filardo engaged in further business dealings beyond the Marinella di Selinunte project, focusing on potential connections between mafia activity, public contracts, and freemasonry. A search warrant issued for Iacolino also referenced a meeting with Salvatore Cocina, head of the regional Civil Protection agency, which did not materialize.
Vetro reportedly solicited favors from other individuals, including a request to secure employment for individuals in Messina through a security service. He discussed this with Iacolino, who then presented the opportunity to Bernadette Grasso, a Forza Italia deputy and vice president of the regional anti-mafia commission. Grasso subsequently identified four to five potential candidates. While these employment opportunities did not come to fruition, the interactions remain part of the ongoing investigation. Grasso stated to investigators that she was unaware of Vetro’s mafia affiliation when she engaged with Iacolino.
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