Balkans drug trafficking ring dismantled: 16 arrests and 91 kg seized in northern Italy
The Financial Police in Trieste has dismantled an Italian-Albanian criminal organisation that managed drug trafficking in northern Italy. Sixteen arrests, 35 under investigation and assets seized worth 1.1 million euros.
Anti-drug operation between Friuli and Savona: 16 arrests, seizures worth one million euros
Sixteen arrests, 35 persons under investigation and almost a hundredweight of narcotics seized. These are the results of a major operation by the Financial Police that has dismantled a criminal organisation active in drug trafficking in northern Italy and along the Adriatic coast, as reported by Google News IT — Crime (it).
The operations were coordinated by Officers of the Economic and Financial Police Unit in Trieste, under the direction of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Milan – Anti-Mafia District Division –, in collaboration with the Central Organised Crime Investigation Service of the Financial Police.
Criminal structure rooted in multiple provinces
The gang had logistical structures distributed across numerous provinces in the north: Brescia, Lecco, Milan, Monza Brianza, Pavia, Savona and Siena. During the summer season, the drug-dealing activity extended from cities to tourist destinations in the north-east — Sistiana, Grado, Latisana, Lignano, Bibione, Jesolo, Caorle — with transactions carried out outside discotheques, pubs, beach establishments and holiday facilities.
The investigation began following a check at Latisana: the detention of two couriers and the seizure of 2 kg of marijuana enabled investigators to gradually reconstruct the entire criminal structure. At the centre of the organisation were subjects primarily of Albanian nationality, operating in various Lombardy provinces.
Professional methods and encrypted communications
According to a statement from the Financial Police, those under investigation operated with "implementation methods characterised by low visibility and risk of detection." Internal communications took place exclusively via encrypted platforms, with continuous replacement of SIM cards and mobile phones. Vehicles used were also frequently changed to evade checks.
The investigative techniques employed ranged from traditional surveillance and stakeouts to audio and video environmental interception, to more technologically advanced methodologies.
The Balkan route and the greenhouse in Pavia province
The cocaine, marijuana and hashish seized came from the Balkan route, thanks to collaboration between Italian criminal organisations and Albanian consortiums. The gang had however also equipped itself with its own greenhouse in the countryside in Pavia province, intended for autonomous marijuana production.
Once introduced into Italy, the drugs were kept in a network of flats and lock-ups rented by persons with no criminal record, difficult to trace back to the group. For distribution to dealers on the dealing squares, the gang recruited couriers — referred to internally as "ponies" — with strict division of duties between those who prepared the doses and those who delivered them.
Among the couriers were young Albanians with no criminal record, brought into Italy for short stays, a maximum of 90 days — the limit provided for tourist stays — at the end of which they were repatriated and replaced by other countrymen with the same functions.
Details of the seizures
The Financial Police statement provides details of the seizures: 70.5 kg of marijuana, of which 64 kg was found in Sesto San Giovanni, 2 kg in Latisana and 4.5 kg in Lecco; 21 kg of cocaine, of which 20 kg in Saronno and 1 kg in Milan.
Among the confiscated material were also a Beretta model 34 calibre 9 short pistol with an obliterated serial number and related ammunition, and an Alfa Stelvio with a chassis specially modified for the transport of narcotics. Seven persons were arrested in flagrante delicto.
Precautionary measures and asset investigations
The Anti-Mafia District Division of Milan obtained from the Judge for Preliminary Investigations in the Lombardy capital 8 orders for precautionary imprisonment against the main members of the organisation. Searches were also ordered against 33 persons under investigation, for various reasons, for conspiracy to commit an offence aimed at illicit trafficking in narcotic substances, production and possession of drugs, receiving stolen goods, money laundering and possession of unlicensed weapons.
In parallel, the Financial Police conducted asset investigations into financial flows, current accounts, real estate investments and bank deposits. The illegal proceeds of the organisation were quantified at 1.1 million euros: the Milan Prosecutor's Office issued an urgent preventive seizure order that made it possible to secure property, vehicles, jewellery, cash and other financial assets.
The searches led to the arrest in flagrante delicto of a further person under investigation for possession of unlicensed weapons and the seizure of 7.2 kg of marijuana already packaged for sale, two pistols with obliterated serial numbers, 10 bladed weapons, luxury Rolex brand watches and cash in euros and foreign currency.
The statement recalls that, in application of the principle of presumption of innocence, the guilt of persons under investigation will be definitively established only in the event of an irrevocable judgment of conviction.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)