FBI accuses 46 mob suspects of mafia crimes

Almost 50 alleged mobsters have been charged by US prosecutors with being part of an east coast crime syndicate.

The 46 suspects include an old-school mafioso in New York and a reputed mob chieftain in Philadelphia who has been pursued by the government for decades.

The indictment reportedly accuses the defendants of a litany of classic mafia crimes, including extortion, loansharking, casino-style gambling, sports gambling, credit card fraud and health care fraud. It said the syndicate operated in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.

According to the Guardian, prosecutors said 39 of those charged were arrested on Thursday. Alleged members of four New York crime families were reportedly among the defendants.

During the arrests, agents are said to have seized three handguns, a shotgun, gambling paraphernalia and more than $30,000 (€26,924) in cash.

FBI New York office head Diego Rodriguez said the indictment “reads like an old school mafia novel,” the Guardian said.