Operation King George: 16 arrests and 98 kg of drugs, network dismantled from Friuli
A routine check in Latisana led to the dismantling of a drug-trafficking organisation: 16 arrests, 35 suspects under investigation, and seizures worth 1.1 million euros.
Operation King George: a stop in Latisana reveals a nationwide criminal organisation
A routine road check in the Lower Friuli region triggered a nationwide investigation that concluded with sixteen arrests, thirty-five suspects under investigation, and the seizure of 98.7 kilogrammes of narcotics. As reported by Google News IT — Crime (it) citing UdineToday, the operation named "King George" was conducted by the Guardia di Finanza of Trieste, in coordination with the Central Service for organised crime investigation and under the supervision of the Anti-mafia District Directorate of Milan. Assets and financial resources worth 1.1 million euros were placed under emergency preventative seizure ordered by the Milan prosecutor's office.
From the arrest of couriers to the map of the criminal association
The starting point was the arrest of two couriers in Latisana and the simultaneous seizure of 2 kilogrammes of marijuana. That initial arrest revealed an articulated criminal structure, centred on subjects who were primarily Albanian and active across several Lombardy provinces. The investigations expanded rapidly: the organisation's logistical bases were located in Brescia, Lecco, Milan, Monza Brianza, Pavia, Savona and Siena, whilst retail distribution reached drug-dealing markets in Lombardy and tourist venues on the northern Adriatic coast — Sistiana, Grado, Lignano, Bibione, Jesolo and Caorle.
Hierarchical structure and anti-interception countermeasures
Investigators reconstructed a solid and hierarchical organisation, formed by individuals with proven experience in drug trafficking. To minimise the risk of being detected, members communicated via encrypted platforms and continuously changed SIM cards, mobile phones and vehicles. The drugs — cocaine, marijuana and hashish — were imported through Balkan routes thanks to collaboration between Italian criminal organisations and Albanian consortia.
During the investigation it emerged that the group also operated a greenhouse in the Pavia countryside for autonomous marijuana production. Once introduced into Italy, the substances were stored in flats and car parks rented in the names of unknown straw men, making it more difficult to trace the leadership of the association.
The "cavallini": couriers on rotation for ninety days
For widespread distribution, the group recruited local couriers — known in jargon as "cavallini" — with a delivery function. Duties were divided between those who prepared the doses and those who delivered them across the territory: a network composed of both Italians and young Albanians. The latter were brought to Italy for periods not exceeding ninety days, the limit allowed for tourist stays, and then repatriated, replaced by new countrymen with the same duties.
Details of the seizures: drugs, weapons and modified vehicles
During the operation, 70.5 kilogrammes of marijuana were seized — of which 64 kilogrammes in Sesto San Giovanni, 4.5 kilogrammes in Lecco and 2 kilogrammes in Latisana —, 21 kilogrammes of cocaine (20 kilogrammes in Saronno, 1 kilogramme in Milan) and 7.2 kilogrammes of already-packaged marijuana found during subsequent searches. On the weapons front, a Beretta model 34 calibre 9 short pistol with an erased serial number was recovered, two further pistols also without serial numbers and ten bladed weapons. An Alfa Romeo Stelvio with a chassis specially modified for the transport of narcotics was also seized, along with Rolex watches and cash in European and foreign currency.
Reconstructed assets: one million euros of illicit proceeds
Parallel to the drug-trafficking investigation, the Economic and Financial Police Unit of Trieste analysed financial flows, bank accounts, investments, real estate and bank deposits of the suspects, quantifying illicit proceeds at 1.1 million euros. The emergency preventative seizure targeted real estate, vehicles, jewellery and financial resources.
The suspects face charges, in varying capacities, of criminal association aimed at illicit trafficking in narcotic substances, drug production and possession, receiving stolen goods, money laundering and possession of unlicensed weapons. Eight of them were subject to custodial remand orders issued by the preliminary investigation judge in Milan; another seven had already been arrested in flagrante delicto during the investigation.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)