This paper analyzes two criminal networks belonging to the \u2017Ndrangheta, a mafia-type
criminal organization originating from Calabria, a Southern Italian Region.
The literature on criminal networks argues that differences in the degree and betweenness centrality
measures may highlight strategic positioning patterns for criminals capable of reducing risk of
detection and maintaining control over the criminal activities at the same time. However, the
identification of this strategic pattern is difficult whenever, as frequently happens, centrality measures
are highly correlated
The paper analyzes network positioning in two mafia-type organizations, where degree and
betweenness centrality were highly correlated. The analysis focuses on specific characteristics of the
individuals in the networks (task, hierarchy and social status within each group) and how these relate
to network positioning (centrality scores and clustering coefficient) and the outcome of the criminal
proceedings (accusation, arrest, conviction and sentence in months). Results show that task and
hierarchy are highly associated with network centrality, but also with accusation, arrest and
conviction. Contrarily, high social status within the networks shows limited association with network
centrality and the outcome of criminal proceedings. This may reveal patterns of strategic positioning
which could not be identified solely though network analysis measures
