Italian police have seized assets worth €100 million ($139 million) allegedly owned by the Casalesi, one of the most brutal gangs of the Camorra crime syndicate based near Naples.

The assets in the Lazio region around Rome included land, factories, car dealerships, luxury cars, bank accounts and villas near the Italian capital.

The Casalesi gang are featured in a book called "Gomorrah" by Italian journalist Roberto Saviano that was turned into an award-winning film.

Three people were also arrested in the operation, the police said, including 67-year-old Gennaro De Angelis, who has been accused of laundering Camorra money abroad through the illegal import of cars from Germany.

"The operation is another setback for the Camorra," Italian Justice Minister Angelino Alfano told reporters.

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