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rackets were also conducted on an organized scale by larger groups of | *Tafiosi, These groups, comprised of criminals steeped in Mafia tactics, wer involved in “shakedowns" which have always been a Mafia trademark. | A former prosecuting attorney in New York City cited the influence lhe Mafia exerted in the «holesale trade of Sicilian lemons in that city. Aa Tlalian established himself as a lemon broker and within a short period had cornered most of the lemon bustnesr among Stalian fruit wholesalers. Under . his “protection, these wholesalers agreed to buy lemons from growers he represented in Sicily. Whe Itallan merchants were guick to recognize this broker as a Capo Mafioso, or Mafla leader, and knew that harm might befall (45) ! their relatives in Sicily if his dictates were not obeyed. In $909, fientenent Gluseppe Petrosing, of the New York City pollics Jenartment, who was investigating allan criminal groups, including Maflosi, journeyed to Sicily to check the criminal records of some 1,000 Italian | criminals and ex-convicts then operatiag in New York City. Petrosino was ambi shed and murdere! in a public square In Palermo, Sicily, on the evening of his arrival. The Petrosingo murder aroused much concern among law enforceme! officials, becauce it war patcnt that news of Petrosino’s trip had reached - 37 -