Statements released by the coalition of law enforcement agencies behind the secret service detailed that the nun took advantage of her volunteer position at the prison.
Brescia’s carabinieri said she was an unsuspecting individual whose religious role allowed her “free access to penitentiary institutions”.
The statements of the police do not specify the identities of politicians or other persons, the objects of the investigation.
The operation is ongoing, with hundreds of police officers searching across northern Italy.
They are assisted by service dog units that look for weapons and drugs, as well as “cash dogs” that are trained to look for cash, police said.
Investigators say the group mainly used scrap metal businesses as fronts to launder money totaling about 12 million euros in laundered money, prosecutors said.
The ‘Ndrangheta, which originated in the poor region of Calabria, is considered one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world.
Last November, more than 200 people were sentenced to more than 2,200 years in prison. one of the largest mafia trials in Italy in generations.
