Drug Depot Uncovered in Ponte di Nona Basements: 12 Kilos of Hashish and Cocaine Seized
Rome, April 18, 2026 – State Police have dismantled a major drug depot in the eastern periphery of Rome, specifically in Ponte di Nona. Over 12 kilograms of narcotics, including hashish and cocaine, were seized from the basements of a residential building that had been converted into a logistical base for drug dealing within the VI municipality. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals.
Police Operation Initiated by Suspicious Activity
The operation, conducted by investigators from the Casilino district, was launched following extensive surveillance in the area. Police attention was drawn to a specific building in Ponte di Nona due to suspicious movements. The decisive factor in the bust was the intervention of Nelly, the police sniffer dog, who indicated the presence of substances even in the communal stairwells.
The initial discovery was made in the building’s meter compartment, where approximately 80 doses of cocaine and hashish were found, already packaged and ready for distribution in the local market.
The “Treasure” in the Basements
The search then moved to the building’s basements. With keys found in the possession of a 22-year-old man, officers gained access to a cellar that served as the main storage facility. Inside, they discovered 50 blocks of hashish, 600 doses of cocaine, several bags of marijuana, and approximately 1,000 euros in cash, believed to be proceeds from the illicit activity.
Further investigation, aided by the K9 unit, extended the search to a second communal cellar. Here, more packaged narcotics, prepared in the same manner, were found, confirming the existence of a single distribution chain.
Two Arrests Made
At the conclusion of the operation, an Italian man aged 48 and another aged 22 were arrested on charges of possession for the purpose of drug dealing. The total haul from the operation exceeded 12 kilograms of drugs, effectively removed from the local drug market. Both individuals have been taken to Regina Coeli prison, awaiting validation of their arrest by the judicial authorities.
This significant seizure underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and distribution networks operating within the city of Rome.
Source: https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/ponte-di-nona-droga-nelle-cantine.html
