Rome, two drug trafficking organisations dismantled: 7 arrested at border
The Financial Police of the Economic and Financial Police Unit of Rome have concluded investigations into two criminal networks distributing cocaine, hashish and marijuana. In total, more than 850 kilograms of drugs were seized.
Anti-drugs operation in Rome: two drug trafficking gangs dismantled
The Financial Police of the Provincial Command of Rome, on the authority of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Anti-Mafia District Directorate, have concluded preliminary investigations against 25 people — 22 Italian citizens, 2 Albanians and 1 Colombian — accused of association aimed at drug trafficking. According to laprovinciacr.it, investigations by the Anti-Drugs Operational Group identified two drug trafficking organisations, occasionally connected, that managed the distribution of cocaine, hashish and marijuana in the provinces of Rome and Latina.
The first network had an operational base between Capannelle and Tuscolano, supplying drug dealing areas in the neighbourhoods of Borghesiana, Casal Morena, Tomba di Nerone and Valle Fiorita. The group used couriers who transported the drugs in vans used for fruit and vegetable transport, coordinated by two contacts already known to the courts for usury, drug trafficking, extortion and arms dealing. The organisation maintained a "common fund" fed by the proceeds of trafficking to finance new shipments and pay the criminal supply chain.
The second structure operated between Rome (Romanina area) and the province of Latina through logistics centres in Marino and Cisterna di Latina, where they stored the drugs destined for distribution. Part of the drugs came from Spain thanks to direct contacts of the group's leaders with supply channels in the Iberian country.
During the investigations, the Financial Police monitored the arrival of an articulated lorry from Almería, in Spain, equipped with a sophisticated false bottom in the trailer. Inside, they concealed 22 kilograms of cocaine, seized along with the arrest in flagrante delicto of 6 people. The concealment mechanism required pressing a combination of buttons located in different parts of the vehicle to activate a hydraulic system that raised the roof of the trailer and allowed access to the compartments.
Once the shipments were received, the suspects distributed the drugs in the Roman neighbourhoods of Torre Spaccata, Tufello, Centocelle, Quarticciolo, Trullo, EUR, Corviale and Casalbertone, extending operations also to San Cesareo, Marino, Pomezia, Anzio and Ciampino. Transport took place on board vehicles equipped with false bottoms specifically prepared.
During the course of the investigations, specialists documented more than sixty drug trafficking episodes mainly in 2020, reconstructing movements totalling more than 850 kilograms of drugs: 60 kilograms of cocaine, 686 of hashish and 104 of marijuana. Seven arrests in flagrante delicto were also made during the operation.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)