The charges against these defendants include drug and arms trafficking, extortion, and participation in mafia activities—a term for those involved in organized crime groups in Italy.

Additionally, some were accused of aiding the 'Ndrangheta without being formal members.

During the trial, held in a secure bunker-style courtroom in Calabria—where the mafia originates—it took nearly two hours to read the judgment, which also acquitted 131 individuals.

The 'Ndrangheta is considered one of the leading criminal syndicates globally and dominates cocaine trade in Europe.

The charges stemmed from an investigation of 12 clans associated with a prominent 'Ndrangheta boss, Luigi Mancuso, who has previously served 19 years for his leading role in a powerful crime family.

Authorities noted the group's significant influence on various aspects of life in the region, expressing deep concern over their far-reaching criminal activities.

Defense attorney Giuseppe Di Renzo highlighted that more than a third of the accused had been acquitted, suggesting a lack of cohesion in the prosecution's case.

Nevertheless, Nicolas Gratteri, the former chief prosecutor responsible for launching the investigation, argued that the broad scope of the trial was necessary due to the mafia's extensive infiltration into society.

Despite the historic scale of this trial, it was not the largest in Italy's history; that distinction goes to the 1986 trial of 475 Sicilian Mafia members, which resulted in over 300 convictions.

The 'Ndrangheta, fueled by massive cocaine trafficking proceeds, has expanded its business empire into legitimate sectors across Italy and Europe, with efforts to launder money and generate legitimate income through various enterprises, including tourism and hospitality.