Criminal network dismantled between Italy and Croatia: 23 arrests for drug, weapons and migrant trafficking
A joint operation between Croatian prosecutors and Italian authorities has led to the arrest of 23 people accused of international trafficking in cocaine, weapons and migrants. The head of the organisation directed illegal activities from prison.
Criminal network dismantled between Italy and Croatia: 23 arrests for drug, weapons and migrant trafficking
A cross-border investigation has led to the arrest of 23 individuals accused of being part of a criminal organisation active in the trafficking of narcotics, weapons and human beings. The operation was conducted in collaboration between the Croatian judiciary, represented by USKOK, and Italian judicial authorities, with coordination by Eurojust.
According to the reconstruction made by investigators, members of the organisation allegedly smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the Sarno and Scafati area in the province of Salerno. In parallel, the group allegedly obtained various types of firearms. A particularly significant element is that the head of the gang managed illegal operations directly from prison.
The investigation also revealed a branch dedicated to exploitation of immigration: the criminals allegedly fabricated employment contracts, used to submit over one thousand applications for residence permits for work purposes, which were then regularly approved by the competent authorities.
Furthermore, the leader of the organisation allegedly issued orders to other members to extort money from certain entrepreneurs, ordering violent acts for debt recovery or the resolution of disputes. Among the crimes contested is also an assault ordered against a detainee.
During the investigation, Croatian prosecutors and those of Salerno identified a Croatian weapons trafficker. During an interception operation, law enforcement stopped a vehicle transporting weapons from Croatia to Italy, proceeding with the arrest of the driver and the seizure of a substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition.
Of the 23 arrested, 19 were placed in pre-trial custody in prison, whilst the remaining four were placed under house arrest. For one of the suspects residing in Croatia, a European arrest warrant was issued.
Source: Večernji list
Source: Večernji list