'Ndrangheta leaders commanded cocaine trafficking from within Brazilian federal prison
Italian father and son, imprisoned since 2019 in Brasília, are believed to have continued directing a cocaine route between South America and Europe. Operation Eredità seized more than 4.6 tonnes.
Operation Eredità exposes how 'Ndrangheta maintained international trafficking even with leaders behind bars
Nicola Assisi and his son Patrick, arrested by the Federal Police in July 2019 in Praia Grande, on the coast of São Paulo, are believed to have continued transmitting orders to a structure linked to 'Ndrangheta from within a federal prison in Brasília. The disclosure comes from Operation Eredità, according to comunitaitaliana.com, and exposes the capacity of the Calabrian criminal organisation to maintain its business even after the capture of its principal operators.
The two Italians were being prosecuted for extradition to Italy, where they were accused of being part of an 'Ndrangheta structure dedicated to international cocaine trafficking between South America and Europe. According to investigators, Nicola and Patrick knew they were being monitored, but found ways to maintain communication with the organisation. Based on these elements, a new precautionary measure was determined against both.
Brazil as a logistical platform
The investigation indicates that Brazil was being used as a logistical platform for cocaine produced in South America destined for Europe. The Port of Paranaguá, in Paraná, appears as one of the main exit points for shipments, alongside ports in São Paulo state.
The inquiry links the structure to at least 11 cocaine seizures carried out between 2019 and 2020, which totalled more than 4.6 tonnes destined for the European continent. There were also approximately 2.2 tonnes stored in Brazil when Nicola and Patrick were detained. Even with the capture of the two, according to investigators, the network managed to reorganise itself.
"Inheritance" kept the machinery running
This is where the name Eredità comes from — "inheritance", in Italian. Family members and trusted associates of the Assisis are believed to have assumed functions in the structure, maintaining contact with suppliers, logistics and financial movement. Among those arrested in the operation is Paula Simões, wife of Patrick, identified by the investigation as one of those responsible for administering the business after the arrest of her husband and father-in-law.
Investigators also identified a structure aimed at moving, concealing and disguising money derived from trafficking. The investigated individuals may face charges, according to each person's involvement, of international drug trafficking, association for trafficking, criminal organisation and money laundering.
Brazil-Italy cooperation
Launched on 17 September, Operation Eredità was the result of a joint investigation between the two countries. In Brazil, the Federal Police and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office took part. On the Italian side, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Turin and the Anti-Crime Department of Turin of the ROS, the special unit of the Carabinieri specialised in combating organised crime, participated. The operation carried out arrest and search warrants in Brazilian territory and ordered the freezing of assets and funds.
The action continues previous investigations, including Retis, Spiderweb, Samba and Mafiusi, and is the fruit of years of cooperation between the Brazilian and Italian authorities.
'Ndrangheta and its international expansion
Originating in Calabria, in southern Italy, 'Ndrangheta has become one of the principal forces of international organised crime and one of the largest actors in cocaine trafficking to Europe. According to Europol, its expansion relies on financial power, capacity for corruption and infiltration in legitimate economic activities. The organisation has replicated its criminal network in various countries, creating permanent structures outside Italy.
The result of Operation Eredità reveals a machinery that did not depend on the freedom of its leaders: even behind bars, according to investigators, father and son are believed to have attempted to maintain control of a cocaine route that linked South America to Europe.
Source: Google News BR — Crime