Eight people have been arrested over mafia connections in Italy and the United States, Italy's state police said on Thursday (December 11).

The arrests were carried out in the cities of Milan, Matera, Trapani and New York, the police said in a statement.

The eight are suspected of international criminal association, attempted extortion and mafia connections, the police said.

Video released by the police showed officers arresting a man identified as Giovanni Grillo at Milan's Malpensa airport.

New York