Mafia probed for selling nuclear waste

ROME, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Italian federal officials have launched an investigation into allegations a Mafia clan trafficked in and illegally disposed of nuclear waste 20 years ago.

The claims came from an informant who turned on the 'Ndrangheta clan, based in Calabria, a correspondent for England's The Guardian newspaper reported from Rome.

At least 10 people are being investigated, including former officials with the country's state energy research agency, Enea.

An Enea manager allegedly paid the clan to get rid of 600 drums of toxic and radioactive waste from Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany and the United States, with its eventual dumping in Somalia, the report said.

Francesco Basentini, head of anti-Mafia police at Potenza, in southern Italy, said several people who have taken part in the investigation have died of mysterious illnesses, a Times of London correspondent reported.

The 'Ndrangheta clan has a reputation of kidnappings and cocaine trafficking and was accused of ordering the shooting deaths of six men in Germany in August, the reports said.