www.timesofearth.com NEW YORK -- Federal agents have arrested more than 100 alleged mafia members throughout New York and the northeast United States, on charges including murder, extortion and narcotics trafficking. The FBI said most of the arrests were made on Thursday morning. Many were in New York's Brooklyn district, but they also took place elsewhere in the city and in New Jersey and New England. "We have charged mob associates and mob bosses alike including the former boss of La Cosa Nostra operations in New England," Eric Holder, the US attorney, said. "Some allegations involve classic mob hits to eliminate perceived rivals. "Others involve truly senseless murders. In one instance a victim was allegedly shot and killed during a bodged robbery attempt and two other murder victims allegedly were shot in a public bar in a dispute over a spilled drink." The arrests were described as a major blow to the region's mafia families. The New York Times, quoting unnamed sources, called it "the largest such sweep of organised crime figures ever conducted by federal authorities." The suspects included minor associates, "soldiers," "captains" and a host of high-ranking bosses, wiping out much of the leadership of the Colombo and Gambino families - two of the historic "Five Families" in New York. Among those charged in New York were the Colombo street boss Andrew Russo, 76, acting underboss Benjamin Castellazzo, 73, and consigliere Richard Fusco, 74, authorities said. Two of the ...