Italian police on Thursday conducted raids in Caivano on the outskirts of Naples, a municipality known for strong Mafia presence and where two young girls were raped during the summer.

A police statement said around 400 agents from various law enforcement agencies participated in the raids, they searched houses, vehicles and checked suspects, particularly in search for weapons and drugs.

Thursday’s raids followed an earlier police operation at the beginning of September after two girls aged 11 and 13 were raped by a gang of youths in Caivano, provoking nationwide outrage.

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni visited the municipality on Aug. 31,  and she described the rapes as “an inhuman crime.’’

Caivano, a municipality of around 35,000 residents, is plagued by organised crime.

Earlier on Monday, youths had opened fire with automatic weapons and pistols on parked cars.

The president of the Italian parliament’s Anti-Mafia Commission, Chiara Colosimo, described the incident as “mafia arrogance.’’

Meloni’s government recently published a “Caivano Decree’’ providing for stiffer punishments for juvenile criminals.

It allows youths aged from 14 to be held in custody while investigations proceed, if the crimes they are accused of could lead to a sentence of six years in jail or more.

Thursday’s raids focused on the area around the Parco Verde quarter of the municipality, where the girls were raped.

Meloni’s visit came at the invitation of parish priest Maurizio Patricello, who has campaigned against the Mafia.

Since the visit, the priest has increased his police guard.