Mafia suspewcted of Trade Centre thefts
A New York grand jury is investigating Mafia involvement in the theft of scrap metal from the wreckage of the World Trade Centre, it was reported today.
More than 250 tons of crime-scene material found its way into three scrap yards, and investigators blame organised crime, according to reports.
All material taken from ground zero is meant to be held at a landfill sit on Staten Island, where the FBI is sifting through debris and conducting the largest crime-scene investigation in US history.
But police told the newspaper that some of the scrap metal was stolen and taken to three scrap yards.
Organised-crime investigators found 75 tons in one Long Island scrap yard and 180 tons at two New Jersey yards.
A police source said it is believed that associates from some of the city’s five crime families - long linked to corruption in the waste business - are involved.
At least 10 suspects are involved in the thefts, he said.
Police believe the metal was taken directly to the yards in the days immediately after the terror attack.
That was before the trucks were escorted to the dump or to barges, and drivers were free to go wherever they wanted.
All of the scrap - with some single pieces weighing as much as 800 pounds - has since been returned to Fresh Kills, one source said.
Sources said the thieves would not have made a lot of money - just over £10,000 for all 255 tons.
