Salerno, December 10 – A major anti-drug operation by the Carabinieri, spanning the provinces of Salerno, Naples, and Avellino, has led to the arrest of 19 individuals and the seizure of assets valued at over one million euros. The operation, executed this morning, effectively dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to illicit drug trafficking and the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics.
Extensive Investigation and Carabinieri Operation
The investigation, initiated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Salerno and authorized by the G.I.P. of the Salerno Court, culminated in the issuance of precautionary and real asset seizure measures against 19 individuals. Eight of these individuals have been placed in prison, while eleven are under house arrest. The accused face charges ranging from association for the purpose of illicit drug trafficking to the illegal possession and distribution of drugs. The operation targeted various neighborhoods in Salerno and the surrounding municipalities of Pontecagnano Faiano and San Mango Piemonte.
The Criminal Organization and Its Modus Operandi
According to investigative findings, the criminal group comprised 14 members, with M.V. identified as the central figure, the “promoter, core, and apex of the organization.” Despite being under house arrest in the Ogliara area of Salerno, M.V. transformed his residence into the logistical and operational hub for managing the entire drug trafficking chain. He utilized a network of drug dealers equipped with vehicles and dedicated phone lines, issuing directives and maintaining contact with suppliers and clients. His live-in partner, L.F., also played a crucial role in these communications.
Key Roles within the Organization
L.F. served as a spokesperson in interactions with the closest collaborators and managed the illicit proceeds. M.V.’s father, C.V., also acted as a spokesperson, occasionally functioning as a pusher and overseeing the fleet of vehicles used by the drug dealers. S.M. was responsible for managing drug supplies directly, maintaining contacts with G.B. from Naples and his wife G.R.
Drug Dealing Hubs and Ramifications
Another significant figure identified in the investigation was Vito Votta. After initially operating as a pusher within the main organization, Votta became independent in December 2022. He subsequently established his own drug dealing network with family members R.L., T.P., and D.M.V., operating in the territories of Pontecagnano Faiano, Bellizzi, and Battipaglia. This new network sourced its supplies from local channels, identified as A.M. and G.D.R.
Seizures and Arrests During the Operation
The Carabinieri’s activities led to the documentation of numerous retail drug sales, with doses typically weighing between 0.3 and 0.5 grams, each sold for 30 euros. Over 1 kg of cocaine and crack were seized, five drug dealers were arrested in flagrante delicto, and two additional individuals were reported. Investigators also focused on the financial aspects of the operation, resulting in the seizure of two plots of land, a property with furnishings and accessories, and tax credits, totaling over one million euros.
Asset Investigations and Business Volume
Financial investigations revealed a significant disparity between the modest declared income of M.V. and L.F. and their high standard of living and owned assets. The investigations established that, since 2019, the couple’s spending capacity was exclusively supported by illicit capital derived from drug trafficking, with an estimated annual turnover exceeding 1.2 million euros. An acquired and renovated property, valued at 95,000 euros, along with furnishings worth 120,000 euros, was deemed to be an investment of illicit proceeds. In the absence of legitimate explanations for the origin of these assets, they were seized for confiscation, alongside tax credits in L.F.’s tax drawer amounting to nearly 500,000 euros.
This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and associated criminal activities across Southern Italy.
Source: https://www.virgilio.it/notizie/il-video-del-blitz-antidroga-a-salerno-napoli-e-avellino-19-arresti-boss-in-manette-col-padre-e-la-compagna-1721438
