BRAD PITT - MAFIA BOSSES TARGET OCEAN'S TWELVE

Hollywood hunks BRAD PITT and GEORGE CLOONEY's new blockbuster OCEAN'S TWELVE has led to the arrest of 23 people who demanded protection money from the film's production crew in Trapani, Sicily.

The arrests include two female ringleaders ANTONELLA DI GRAZIANO and ROSA FIORDILILLO - who had taken over as Mafia heads when their "gangster husbands" were jailed - and targeted the movie sequel after the crew arrived to film in the criminal duo's territory last week (begs05JUL04), according to Britain's DAILY STAR newspaper.

The group succeeded in extracting payments from everyone from local business leaders to those renting out paddle boats, and police have been investigating the payment of protection money to the mafia in the area for two years.

A police spokesman says, "When the production set arrived, it was right in the middle of the territory controlled by Antonella and Rosa. It was common knowledge that the film was going to be shot near Trapani.

"Local firms involved were ordered to hand over money. These women have been controlling their crime family for years. They were responsible for extortion and protection. People who didn't pay were threatened and subjected to bomb attacks."

The two women were moved to a high security prison last night (13JUL04) on charges of Mafia association.