Edition: U.S. / Global


Published: June 23, 1987

Five men convicted as leaders of the ''pizza connection'' international drug ring were sentenced to long prison terms yesterday, and the judge, in what he called an unprecedented order, told four of the men to contribute $2.5 million to a fund for treatment of drug addicts.

Sentences of 45 years in prison were imposed on Gaetano Badalamenti, 64 years old, described by prosecutors as a former leader of the Mafia in Sicily, and Salvatore Catalano, 46, the New York boss of the ring. Mr. Badalamenti was fined $125,000; Mr. Catalano was fined $1.15 million and ordered to pay $1 million to the restitution fund. He operates a bakery in Queens and is described by law-enforcement authorities as an official in the Bonanno crime family in New York.

Judge Pierre N. Leval of Federal District Court in Manhattan sentenced two other defendants, Giuseppe Lamberti, 55, and Salvatore Mazzurco, 57, to 35 years and $150,000 in fines each. The fifth man, Salvatore Lamberti, 55, ceived 20 years and a $50,000 fine. Each of the three was ordered to pay $500,000 into the restitution fund. The two Lambertis are cousins.

In the packed, steamy courtroom, relatives of the defendants wept quietly as the sentences were announced. A few gasped when the impact of Judge Leval's restitution fund became known. There was a time lag because many of the relatives spoke no English and were listening to translation into Italian.

While severe, the prison sentences were less than the life terms without parole that the Federal prosecutors had sought. ''There are war zones in this city devastated by these defendants,'' an assistant United States attorney, Louis Freeh, told Judge Leval. ''We could fill this courthouse, even Madison Square Garden, with their victims.''

Because he was extradited from Spain, Mr. Badalamenti can serve no more than 30 years, the maximum allowable under terms of the extradition treaty. But prosecutors said it was unlikely that he would serve less than 30 years.

Federal prisoners are eligible for parole review after serving a third of their sentences. But prosecutors in the case said the defendants would almost certainly serve out all or most of their terms. Defendants convicted on organized-crime and drug-related charges in Federal court normally serve most of their terms, the prosecutors said.

Mr. Catalano and Giuseppe Lamberti were convicted under a law that carries special penalties for leaders of drug rings and could have been sentenced to life in prison without parole under that law.

Because Mr. Badalamenti was convicted on a different charge, involvement in a narcotics conspiracy, he was not ordered to make restitution to the ring's victims.

Sentencing of other defendants in the case is scheduled to continue today and tomorrow.

In his sentencing memorandum to Judge Leval, the United States Attorney in Manhattan, Rudolph W. Giuliani, asked that the $60 million in cash that the defendants are said to have spirited out of the country be somehow retrieved and used for drug victims. 'Severe Bodily Injury'

The judge's plan, which will be administered by the United States Attorney's office, is based on a Federal law that permits restitution to victims of crime who have suffered bodily injury.

''The impact of narcotic drugs in the United States,'' Judge Leval said, ''causes severe bodily injury that requires medical and psychiatric care and therapy, even though it may be difficult to identify with precision the individuals injured.''

After the sentencing, Mr. Giuliani said he was ''very satisfied'' with the terms and fines meted out. He noted that he had recommended life terms for the leaders, but observed that Mr. Badalamenti probably will be in his mid-90's and Mr. Catalano in his mid-70's when they finish their sentences.

Testimony in the 17-month trial showed that the defendants bought morphine base in Turkey, processed it in Sicily, and sold it in this country along with cocaine from South America. The men transferred about $60 million into overseas accounts, sometimes using banks and brokerage firms, sometimes simply having the money carried in suitcases. The street value of the heroin they sold here was said to be more than $1.6 billion. Statement From Lamberti

Mr. Badalamenti, whose home is in Cinisi, Sicily, and Mr. Catalano were convicted of narcotics conspiracy and participating in a continuing criminal enterprise. Mr. Catalano, of Middle Village, Queens, was also convicted of racketeering and money laundering.

The Lambertis were convicted of drug conspiracy and racketeering. Giuseppe Lamberti also was convicted of criminal enterprise. Mr. Mazzurco was convicted of drug conspiracy and racketeering. Giuseppe Lamberti and Mr. Mazzurco are from Baldwin, L.I., Salvatore Lamberti is from Woodmere.

After each defendant was sentenced, Judge Leval asked them if they had anything to say. All said no except for Salvatore Lamberti who, through a translator, asked permission to give the judge a statement in writing. In it, he denied being a member of the Mafia and asked for compassion because of his poor health.

''In 53 years of dignified and honest existence,'' he wrote in part, ''the Italian magistration has never found me guilty of the crime of Mafia.''

Photo of Gaetano Badalamenti (UPI)