FBI makes biggest 'mafia' bust in New York history

US authorities have charged 127 suspected Cosa Nostra members in the biggest mafia roundup in New York's history.

The investigation targeted all of the city's notorious "five families" - the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo and Bonanno crime syndicates - as well as one in New Jersey, said US Attorney General Eric Holder.

The FBI said most of the 110 people arrested so far were seized on Thursday morning. Many were in Brooklyn, but they also occurred throughout New York City and in New Jersey and New England.

Reports say charges of racketeering, murder and numerous other crimes in multiple indictments will be levelled at the suspected gangsters in a Brooklyn federal court house.

The arrest was the result of multiple investigations - federal probes aided by mob turncoats have considerably reduced the families' ranks in recent years and have resulted in lengthy prison terms for several leaders.