Ricordando Peppino Impasta: Honoring the Legacy of claudio La camera, Responsible for the ‘ndrangheta Observatory in reggio calabria
When one thinks of organized crime in Italy, the first thing that may come to mind is the infamous ‘ndrangheta. This powerful and secretive criminal organization, based in the southern region of calabria, is known for its illegal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion. However, in the midst of this dark reality, there are individuals who have dedicated their lives to fighting against the ‘ndrangheta and bringing justice to their community. One of these remarkable individuals is claudio La camera, the responsible for the ‘ndrangheta Observatory in reggio calabria.
Born and raised in reggio calabria, claudio La camera grew up in a society where the ‘ndrangheta had a strong presence. As a young man, he witnessed the effects of organized crime on his community and the constant struggle of law enforcement to combat it. This experience sparked a fire within him, and he made it his mission to bring awareness and fight against this criminal organization.
In 1990, La camera joined the Carabinieri, one of the four branches of the Italian Armed Forces responsible for police duties. Through his work in the Carabinieri, he gained valuable experience and knowledge about the ‘ndrangheta and its operations. This led him to become the head of the ‘ndrangheta Observatory in reggio calabria, a position he held until his retirement in 2019.
The ‘ndrangheta Observatory was established in 2008 with the goal of monitoring and studying the activities of the ‘ndrangheta and providing information to law enforcement agencies. Under the leadership of La camera, the Observatory became a vital tool in the fight against organized crime in the region. He worked tirelessly to gather intelligence, analyze data, and share information with other law enforcement agencies, resulting in numerous successful operations against the ‘ndrangheta.
But La camera‘s work did not stop there. He was also a strong advocate for community involvement in the fight against organized crime. He believed that the people of reggio calabria had a crucial role to play in eradicating the ‘ndrangheta from their community. He organized seminars, workshops, and conferences to educate the public about the dangers of organized crime and how they could help in the fight against it. He also worked closely with schools and universities to raise awareness among the younger generation, hoping to prevent them from falling victim to the ‘ndrangheta‘s influence.
La camera‘s dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. He received numerous awards and recognition for his contribution to the fight against organized crime. In 2012, he was awarded the title of “Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” (Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) by the President of the Italian Republic. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious “Medaglia d’Oro al Merito Civile” (Gold Medal of Civil Merit) by the President of the Council of Ministers.
Unfortunately, in December 2019, claudio La camera passed away after a battle with cancer. His death was a significant loss for the community of reggio calabria and the fight against organized crime. However, his legacy lives on, and his work continues through the ‘ndrangheta Observatory and the countless individuals he inspired.
As we remember Peppino Impasta, we must also honor the remarkable legacy of claudio La camera. His commitment, dedication, and passion for justice have left a lasting impact on his community and the fight against organized crime. He serves as a role model for future generations and a reminder that one person can make a difference. Let us continue his work and never forget the sacrifices he made in the name of justice.
