Orazio De Stefano

Orazio De Stefano
Born	(1959-02-11) February 11, 1959 (age 66) Reggio Calabria, Italy
Spouse	Antonietta Benestare
Children	5
Allegiance	De Stefano 'ndrina / 'Ndrangheta

Orazio Maria Carmelo De Stefano (Reggio Calabria, 11 February, 1959) is an Italian criminal and member of the 'Ndrangheta, a Mafia-type criminal organisation in Calabria. Together with his brothers Giorgio, Paolo, and Giovanni and he headed the De Stefano 'ndrina. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Biography

Orazio De Stefano, born in the city of Reggio Calabria, began his criminal career as a minor when he was arrested for carrying a weapon but later released by a judge’s pardon. He was a trusted collaborator of his brother Paolo, who had many political connections. He inherited leadership of the 'ndrina after his three brothers, Giorgio, Giovanni, and Paolo, were killed during the violent 'Ndrangheta wars from the 1970s to 1980s. De Stefano helped revive and strengthen the 'ndrina, establishing new alliances. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

He became a fugitive in 1988 after being released on bail, starting a sixteen-year-long period of hiding. During this time, he moved frequently by car betweenc Northern and Central Italy to maintain contacts with affiliates outside Calabria. He avoided using phones or cell phones, communicating through "pizzini", small notes left in agreed places to give orders. ^{[5] [4]}

Despite being on the run, De Stefano maintained full control of the De Stefano 'ndrina, managing the organization without losing power. His protection network was strong, and he lived a relatively comfortable life close to his wife, Antonietta Benestare, niece of Giovanni Tegano, which makes him an important link in the relationship between the De Stefano and Tegano families within the organization. Orazio and Antonietta had five children during his fugitive years. ^{[7] [8] [5]}

He was considered one of the most wanted fugitives in Italy. In 2004, police arrested him alone and unarmed in a luxurious apartment in the Parco Caserta area of Reggio Calabria. At arrest, he calmly greeted officers, saying, "I am honored to meet you. Today ends the long chapter of my fugitive status." Over the years, his appearance changed significantly, he became nearly bald and gained weight, making previous photos ineffective. ^[4]

He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Olimpia Operation and had a confirmed 12-year sentence for mafia association. In November 2021, Orazio De Stefano was acquitted on appeal by the Court of Reggio Calabria in the "Trash" trial, which stemmed from an investigation into the De Stefano 'ndrina's infiltration of "Fata Morgana," the mixed company responsible for waste collection on behalf of the local municipality. The appeal trial concluded with four convictions and five acquittals, including De Stefano's. The investigation uncovered extortion against the management of "Fata Morgana." Among those convicted was Paolo Rosario De Stefano, Orazio's nephew, who received a 14-year sentence. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

References

1. "Reggio Calabria, le mani della 'ndrangheta sul business dei rifiuti: in manette i capi del clan De Stefano". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
2. Calabria, Red (2017-05-11). "Operazione Trash, decapitato il clan De Sfefano. [INCHIESTA E IMMAGINI]". Secondo Piano News (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-10-13.
3. "Operazione Malefix - Questura di Reggio Calabria | Polizia di Stato". questure.poliziadistato.it. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
4. "Catturato in una villa da vip il boss della mafia di Reggio - la Repubblica.it". Archivio - la Repubblica.it (in Italian). 2004-02-23. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
5. "Repubblica.it/cronaca: 'Ndrangheta, preso De Stefano boss latitante da sedici anni". www.repubblica.it. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
6. "Operazione Trash - La Squadra Mobile ha eseguito 5 fermi di indiziato di delitto - Questura di Reggio Calabria | Polizia di Stato". questure.poliziadistato.it. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
7. AMDuemila (2018-04-09). "'Ndrangheta: quattro arresti tra imprenditori collegati ai clan". Antimafia Duemila | Fondatore Giorgio Bongiovanni (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-10-12.
8. "Il Dispaccio - Le mani di Orazio De Stefano sul business dei rifiuti a Reggio Calabria". Il Dispaccio (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-10-13.
9. Calabria, T. G. R. (2021-11-12). "Assolto Orazio De Stefano". RaiNews (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-10-12.
10. "Police op nabs heads of De Stefano 'Ndrangheta clan - TopNews - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
11. Calabria, T. G. R. (2021-11-12). "Assolto Orazio De Stefano". RaiNews (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-10-13.