Operation "King George": 16 arrests and 98 kg of drugs, network dismantled by Trieste Financial Police
The Trieste Financial Police has dismantled a drug trafficking organisation with 16 arrests, 35 people under investigation and seizures worth 1.1 million euros.
Drug trafficking network dismantled: 16 arrests and seizure of 98.7 kg of narcotics
A routine traffic stop at Latisana triggered an investigation that led to the breakdown of a criminal organisation operating on a national scale. According to reports from Google News IT — Crime (it), the operation dubbed "King George" was conducted by the Trieste Financial Police in coordination with the Central Service for Organised Crime Investigation of the Financial Police and under the direction of the Milan Anti-Mafia District Directorate.
The overall balance includes 16 arrests, 35 people under investigation and the seizure of 98.7 kilograms of narcotics, as well as assets and financial resources worth 1.1 million euros.
The origin of the investigation: two couriers and two kilograms of marijuana
It all started with the arrest of two couriers at Latisana in Friuli with 2 kilograms of marijuana. From interrogation and subsequent verification, a ramified criminal structure emerged, centred on individuals mainly of Albanian nationality active in various Lombard provinces. At that point, the Milan Anti-Mafia District Directorate assumed judicial coordination of the investigation.
Internal communications within the group took place via encrypted platforms, with a systematic replacement of SIM cards, mobile phones and vehicles to hinder identification by investigators.
Balkan routes and the greenhouse in Pavia province
The drugs — cocaine, marijuana and hashish — were brought into Italy through the so-called Balkan routes, thanks to an operational understanding between Italian and Albanian criminal organisations. During the investigation it emerged that the association had also set up a greenhouse in the countryside of Pavia province for autonomous marijuana production.
The substances were then stored in flats and garages rented by unrelated nominees with no criminal records, in order to create distance between storage spaces and the organisation's leadership. For widespread distribution in Lombard drug dealing locations and tourist venues in northern Italy, the group recruited local couriers, known in jargon as "cavallini". The tasks were divided among those who prepared the doses and those who delivered them on the ground.
Young Albanians were brought into Italy for periods not exceeding 90 days — the limit allowed for tourist stays — and subsequently repatriated and replaced by new compatriots with identical duties.
Seizures: drugs, weapons and a modified Alfa Stelvio
During the searches, 70.5 kilograms of marijuana were seized, of which 64 kilograms in Sesto San Giovanni, 2 kilograms in Latisana and 4.5 kilograms in Lecco. Also seized were 21 kilograms of cocaine: 20 in Saronno and 1 in Milan.
Among the materials found were a Beretta model 34 pistol, 9 mm short calibre, with serial number abraded and related ammunition, and an Alfa Stelvio car with the chassis specially modified for the transport of narcotics. Searches authorised by the judicial authority resulted in the additional seizure of 7.2 kilograms of marijuana already packaged, two further pistols with abraded serial numbers, 10 bladed weapons, Rolex watches and cash in European and foreign currency.
The logistical bases of the association were located in Brescia, Lecco, Milan, Monza Brianza, Pavia, Savona and Siena, whilst the drugs were distributed in tourist locations such as Sistiana, Grado, Latisana, Lignano, Bibione, Jesolo and Caorle.
Assets reconstructed: urgent preventive seizure of 1.1 million euros
Parallel to the trafficking investigation, the Trieste Economic and Financial Police Unit analysed financial flows, current accounts, investments, properties and bank deposits of those under investigation, quantifying the illegal proceeds at 1.1 million euros. The Milan Prosecutor's Office ordered an urgent preventive seizure of properties, vehicles, jewellery and financial resources.
Those under investigation are charged, to varying degrees, with criminal association aimed at illegal trafficking in narcotic substances, production and possession of drugs, handling of stolen goods, money laundering and possession of unlicensed weapons. Eight of them were hit with pre-trial custody orders in prison issued by the judge for preliminary investigations in Milan, whilst 7 had already been arrested in flagrante delicto during the course of the investigation.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)