Rome, February 9, 2026 – The Police ‘Falchi’ have carried out a significant anti-drug operation in the peripheral areas of Rome, leading to the arrest of eight individuals involved in drug dealing and the dismantling of several drug distribution points. The operations, concentrated in districts such as Tor Bella Monaca and Ponte di Nona, targeted increasingly sophisticated methods of drug concealment and distribution.
Extensive Mapping and Undercover Operations
The operation commenced with a meticulous analysis of the area between Viale dell’Archeologia and the ‘Ferro di Cavallo’ zone, identified as a high-risk area for drug trafficking. Agents from the VI section of the Mobile Squad seamlessly integrated into the urban environment, observing repetitive gestures, glances, and movements that indicated the rotation of dealers and the management of sales points.
Shift Change Between Dealers and a Wall Transformed into a Depot
A crucial moment in the operation was the interception of a ‘shift change’ between two dealers who had converted a condominium wall into an operational drug depot. Apprehended during a transaction with a client, one dealer attempted to discard the drugs by hiding them behind a support point used for sales. He was immediately blocked, found with over 300 packets of both raw and cooked cocaine. His accomplice, ready to take over, was carrying 19 doses and a sum of cash in small denominations.
High-Rise Escape Attempt and a Bag Full of Drugs
Minutes later, the ‘Falchi’ noticed a young man interacting with a potential buyer. Upon spotting the officers, he attempted to flee by quickly ascending the upper floors of a building. He was pursued and apprehended. A search revealed a bag containing approximately 100 packets of cocaine and over 350 euros in cash, further evidence of a structured and continuous drug dealing operation.
Lookout System and Operational Pairs in Ponte di Nona
A different, yet equally established, modus operandi was uncovered in Ponte di Nona, where drug dealing relied on lookouts and ‘ferrymen.’ Here, four dealers operated in pairs, moving between Via Capitini and Via Luthuli, alternating between contact and delivery phases, ready to disperse into buildings if danger arose. Their escape attempt was thwarted by the swift intervention of the agents, who caught them in the act, recovering 14 pre-packaged doses of cocaine hidden in their clothing.
Magnetic Storage Under a Car and Ingenious Concealment
Even more ingenious was the system devised by two other arrested individuals, who had set up a ‘mobile depot’ attached with magnets under the chassis of a car. The ‘Falchi’ exposed their method when, after a brief negotiation with a client, one of the dealers bent under the vehicle to retrieve the drugs. The hiding spot, invisible to a superficial check, contained 11 doses of cocaine ready for retail sale.
Final Arrest in Western Rome and ‘Shaboo’ Drug Discovery
The operation concluded in the western periphery of Rome, where officers focused on a 48-year-old Filipino man observed acting suspiciously in Via Pescaglia. Stopped for a check, he was arrested after doses of ‘shaboo’ ready for sale were found both in his jacket and inside his home.
The work of the ‘Falchi’ continues silently in the most sensitive areas of the capital, aiming to intercept and dismantle urban drug dealing mechanisms. This ongoing action restores legality to complex neighborhoods where criminal networks constantly evolve, refining operational methods and concealment systems, but are met with the constant and concrete presence of the State.
