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Cops cuff Mafia Don's crocodile enforcer

Caiman used to 'intimidate' extortion victims

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Italian police and "reptile wranglers" have seized a 1.7-metre-long crocodile allegedly used by a Naples Mafia boss to "intimidate" extortion victims.

Cops raided the villa of Antonio Cristofaro on the suspicion it contained guns and drugs, but instead found the 40kg reptile lounging in a tank on the terrace. The Camorra Don reportedly invited targets to his home and threatened to set the beast on them if they failed to cough cash or "grant him favours".

Cristofaro was not arrested, but is under investigation for "illegal possession of an animal" and possible extortion charges.

Police spokesman Sergio Di Mauro explained that the croc - a caiman species native to Central and South America - had been fed on a diet of live rabbits and mice. The powers that be are unsure how it got to Italy. ®

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Latest Comments
Anonymous Coward

Wonder how they trained him?

My reptilian friend - hey! Dat's funny! You're reptilian and I'm Sicilian, it's like we're brothers, capice? - In just a moment we're gonna bring in a man who has been - shall we say - a little unfortunate with his repayments. And I would like you help me "convince him" that he needs to solve that particular problem quickly. Now, I hope you're not gonna disappoint me. This tank, those live rabbits - I have made a considerable investment in you. And I do not like to be disappointed. My last crocodile - he was a disappointment. He doesn't work for me no more. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm just gonna take read some papers from this new briefcase and rest my aching feet - it takes a while to break in new shoes, don't you find? Oh, you don't have any experience of shoes? Neither did your predecessor - at first...

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The real question...

Could it be fitted with frikking laser beams?!

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Was he attached to it?

Is he really upset to see it taken away, or are those crocodile tears?

Hey! No need to throw things.....

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