A series of bombings and arson attacks in the eastern suburbs of Rome have raised concerns about an intensifying power struggle within the city's criminal underworld. Since the beginning of autumn, authorities have linked at least 15 bombings targeting shops, homes, and car dealerships to the weakening influence of Michele Senese, a prominent drug trafficker whose long-term control over Rome’s illicit drug market is now under threat.

The latest incident occurred early Tuesday morning when arsonists set fire to nine vehicles at the Stock Auto Roma used car dealership on Via Prenestina, a historic Roman road. The owner, Luciano Incalza, who runs the business with his son, also faced a rudimentary bomb being planted outside his home, which damaged his front gate. Incalza, who served time for drug offenses at Rome’s Rebibbia prison and opened his business about 18 months ago, said he had no affiliation with Senese or his criminal network and expressed determination not to be intimidated by the attacks.

Senese, 68, has been a central figure in Rome’s drug trafficking for decades. Originally linked to the Naples Camorra mafia's Nuova Famiglia during the early 1980s, he was sent to Rome amid a Camorra internal conflict and quickly established himself as both an enforcer and drug supplier. He forged alliances with the Calabrian ’Ndrangheta and, more recently, the Albanian mafia to maintain a stronghold on the capital’s drug market, even after his 2013 conviction for murder. Known as “The Crazy One” for feigning mental illness to manipulate prison conditions, Senese was described by law enforcement sources as more of a unifying figure than a traditional mafia boss.

However, Senese’s power has eroded following long prison sentences for him and his close associates, compounded by the 2019 murder of Fabrizio “Diabolik” Piscitelli, a drug dealer and far-right football hooligan known for encroaching on rival gangs’ territories. Piscitelli was shot in the back of the head in a public park. Investigations and wiretaps have cast doubt on Senese’s involvement initially, given Piscitelli’s prior association with Senese’s family, and both Albanian and ’Ndrangheta representatives denied involvement in the killing. Nonetheless, Rome magistrates formally accused Senese and his aides last month of ordering the murder to reinforce control over the drug trade, a charge that could result in harsher prison conditions, including isolation.

Experts and observers note that Senese’s purported reluctance to continue issuing commands from prison, possibly out of fear of isolation, has contributed to a power vacuum on Rome’s streets. This vacuum appears to be driving violent confrontations among rival groups seeking to replace his dominance, reflected in recent attacks and the uptick in violence, including shootings and stabbings, particularly in neighborhoods like Quarticciolo. Despite extensive police efforts involving hundreds of arrests in the area this year, dealers continue to traffic cocaine and crack openly, indicating ongoing unrest within the criminal milieu.

As investigative efforts continue, law enforcement officials remain vigilant about potential escalations in violence resulting from this shifting underworld landscape. The situation underscores the complex interplay between entrenched mafias and emerging factions vying for influence in Italy’s capital.