Security surrounds a courtroom in Calabria in southern Italy - the midst of the mob's heartland.
It may seem excessive but this is what it takes to bring down one of the world's most powerful criminal organisations.
Its members usually hide in bunkers.
But, in a specially built bunker-style courtroom, hundreds of defendants from the 'Ndrangheta mafia were exposed, prosecuted together.
And displayed in bold letters on the courtroom wall, the message was clear - "the law is the same for all."
The judges presiding over the case were put under police protection over fears for their safety.
It took almost two hours to read the historic verdicts.
Set up in 2021, the trial heard evidence of murder, extortion, drug trafficking and leaving the heads of dead animals on the doorsteps of those who dared to oppose them.
In 2019 almost all of the more than 300 defendants were arrested; of those 207 have now been sentenced, amounting to a total of 2,200 years behind bars.
Giuseppe Borrello is the regional representative for Libera, Calabria's Anti-Mafia Association.
"Certainly that cruel, violent and recurring part of the 'Ndrangheta - which has sown fear for decades - is impacted. There is a strong message that civil society and especially those entrepreneurs and shop owners who are still being crushed by the 'Ndrangheta's stubbornness that they can trust the state. There is a need for us to make our own contribution through the power of reporting to the police. This is certainly the most important message coming out of this verdict."
The 'Ndrangheta's influence spreads far beyond its Italian roots.
Over the decades, it's established bases in much of Europe, the US, Africa and even Australia.
It's estimated to control up to 80 per cent of Europe's cocaine market - boasting an annual turnover of around 60 billion dollars annually.
As Catanzaro Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Vincenzo Capomolla, explains:
"It's so widespread, so alarming, so disturbing that I think it can be noted that there is no aspect of the social economic fabric of the province that is not conditioned by the force of intimidation of this very dangerous criminal organisation."
But prosecutors also targeted many non-mafia members, including high ranking police officials, local mayors and a former senator for Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.
All of which willingly facilitated the mob's pursuits.
Former Anti-Mafia Chief Prosecutor, Federico Cafiero De Raho, says the trial's relevance is enormous.
"Talking about 'anti-bodies' is not easy, especially where the mafia presence dates back over 50 years. It is certain, however, that a social anti-Mafia movement is being strengthened from time to time, in addition to the ever-increasing professionalism of the police forces and an increasingly capable judiciary."
131 defendants were acquitted, while most of those sentenced say they would appeal against their convictions.
