Police Data Shows Philadelphia Mob in Decline

Decimated by a 20-year onslaught of federal prosecutions, bloody internecine power struggles, and turncoat testimony, the Philadelphia branch of La Cosa Nostra - which in the 1980s had roughly 80 members - now has a base of about 20 "soldiers."

Joseph Ligambi, reputed boss of the Philadelphia-South Jersey mob, heads a criminal organization that has nearly as many active members in jail as it does on the streets.

Decimated by a 20-year onslaught of federal prosecutions, bloody internecine power struggles, and turncoat testimony, the local branch of La Cosa Nostra - which in the 1980s had roughly 80 members - now has a base of about 20 "soldiers."

And nine of them are in prison.

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