Rome- Police in southern Italy have arrested 29 Africans suspected of running a cocaine and heroin ring, officials said Thursday.

Two Italian nationals were also apprehended in overnight raids in the town of Castel Volturno near Naples, local carabinieri commander Carmelo Burgio told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, dpa.

The arrested Africans are from Mali and the Ivory Coast. They allegedly obtained "permission" to operate by paying local Camorra mafia families, who control criminal activities in the Naples area, "protection" fees in money or in drugs, Burgio said.

"This is the fifth drugs ring run by Africans that we have uncovered in the last four years in the Castel Volturno area, which shows how they are establishing a stronger presence and competing with local criminals," Burgio told dpa.

The drugs were imported through Spain and France and then distributed throughout Italy, he said.

Clients included the Castel Volturno's notorious Casalesi Camorra families, the subject of the international bestselling-book, Gomorrah, by local author Roberto Saviano.

The Camorra has long extorted "protection" from local businessmen. Those who refuse risk violence to themselves or their property. (dpa)