Clandestine bank in Prato: 100 million euros annually for drug trafficking and money laundering
In Prato, an illegal bank moved between 80 and 100 million euros a year for phantom payments linked to drugs, goods, and clandestine immigration. 41 precautionary measures, 17 in prison.
Clandestine bank in Prato: 100 million euros annually for drug trafficking and money laundering
In the Prato district, an abusive financial structure has been identified that managed money flows equivalent to approximately 100 million euros per year. The system was used to cover illicit transactions linked to drug trafficking, merchandise trade, and clandestine transfer of persons.
The investigations led to the identification of three distinct criminal organisations that made use of the Islamic-origin value transmission method known as hawala, known in the Chinese context as chop-shop. This method allows capital to be moved without leaving documentary traces. The criminal groups belonged to Italian, Chinese, and Albanian networks: one was dedicated to laundering drug profits, another to international narcotic trafficking, the third to the illegal entry of Chinese citizens into the country.
The preliminary investigation judge ordered the freezing of 60 million euros and the application of 41 precautionary measures, of which 17 involved custodial detention in prison and 16 involved a stay-at-home order.
Source: ANSA
Source: ANSA Cronaca