Four drug arrests in Rome: dealing near the Colosseum, Termini Station and eastern suburbs
Officers from the Mobile Squad's Falchi unit carried out four arrests in separate anti-drug operations across Rome's historic centre and suburban areas. Targets included the Colosseum, Termini Station and a known drug dealing location in the eastern suburbs.
Four anti-drug operations in one day: Mobile Squad officers arrest dealers across central Rome
Four arrests across as many separate operations, from the Colosseum to Termini Station through to the eastern suburbs of the capital: this was announced by questure.poliziadistato.it, which describes in detail the operations carried out by investigators from the VI Section of the Mobile Squad — known as the Falchi — as part of efforts to combat the trafficking of controlled substances.
The operations intercepted different selling methods, united by the same operational logic: rapid contacts, predetermined roles, tactical storage points and doses already prepared for delivery.
Dealing among tourists near the Colosseum
The first case unfolded in the Colosseum area, where a group of young foreign nationals was operating by blending in with the flow of tourists according to a precise division of labour: one would approach potential buyers, one would collect money, one would act as lookout and one would retrieve drugs from a storage point hidden near a tree in the vicinity.
A twenty-year-old Tunisian is believed to have played this last role, kept under observation by investigators as he shuttled between the group and the storage location. When officers intervened, the other group members dispersed into the crowd. The twenty-year-old was stopped with over 28 grammes of hashish already divided into doses and was arrested.
Two drug sales caught in the act at Termini Station
Nearby, in the Termini Station area, the Falchi — in collaboration with officers from the Viminale District station — monitored in real time two sales following the classic money-for-drugs pattern.
Under observation was a twenty-nine-year-old Gambian, seen handing over five doses of cocaine and crack to two separate buyers for a total of 95 euros. One squad maintained control over the alleged pusher, while other officers separately intercepted the two customers, recovering the substance they had just purchased.
At the moment of his detention, the man attempted to flee by pushing police officers, but was stopped after a few metres. He had 130 euros in cash on him and additional packages of hashish. He was arrested for possession with intent to supply, as well as being reported for resisting a public official.
Street delivery by car: two Roman women arrested
In another part of the city, the Falchi stopped a small car that was moving with frequent changes of direction. Inside were two Roman women aged 64 and 69. Following their movements, officers witnessed a rapid exchange with a young man: two twenty-euro notes in exchange for two packages of controlled substances.
The operation took place shortly afterwards. At the time of the check, the two women attempted to dispose of some paper tissues by throwing them from the car windows; officers immediately recovered them. Inside were hidden 16 packages of cocaine. A further dose was found concealed in the clothing of one of the two, whilst 95 euros in cash were found in the other's bag. Both were arrested at the scene. The young buyer was instead reported to the Prefect's office as a user.
Foot chase in suburbs: thirty-seven-year-old Moroccan arrested
Completing the picture of arrests was an operation in a known drug dealing location in the eastern suburbs of Rome. A thirty-seven-year-old Moroccan was observed during brief encounters characterised by the classic drug-for-money exchange.
On seeing officers, the man fled among the blocks of flats, discarding a package during his run. Investigators recovered the abandoned material and reached the fugitive. The package contained 13 doses of cocaine and a portion of hashish. The subsequent search also allowed authorities to seize 130 euros in cash. The man was then arrested.
All detentions validated by judicial authority
The operations are part of services deployed to combat widespread crime and, in particular, the trafficking of controlled substances, with attention paid to areas with high foot traffic of residents and tourists in the city centre and to known drug dealing locations in the suburbs.
All four arrests were validated by the judicial authority.
It should be noted that the evidence described pertains to the preliminary investigation phase. All those under investigation are protected by the presumption of innocence until a final conviction by an irrevocable judgment.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)