Naples: Anti-Mafia Blitz Leads to 13 Arrests in Contini Clan Drug Trafficking Probe
Naples, April 16 – Carabinieri from the Naples Poggioreale Company, under the direction of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (D.D.A.) of Naples, executed 13 arrest warrants on April 15, 2026, targeting individuals allegedly connected to the powerful Contini clan. The arrests are part of a broader investigation into mafia-type association and extensive drug trafficking activities.
Operation Targets Contini Clan’s Drug Network
The operation, which resulted in six individuals being taken to prison and seven placed under house arrest, stems from an investigation conducted between 2022 and 2023. This probe was initiated following a search of a long-standing affiliate of the Contini clan, during which numerous handwritten documents detailing the clan’s criminal activities, particularly drug trafficking, were seized.
The Contini clan operates primarily in the eastern area of Naples and is known to be under the influence and control of the ‘Secondigliano Alliance,’ a notorious Camorra cartel. The 13 Italian nationals arrested are considered seriously implicated, to varying degrees, in the crimes of mafia-type association aimed at drug trafficking, as defined by articles 73 and 74 of D.P.R. 309/1990 and 416-bis c.p.
Investigation Uncovers ‘Drug Pyramid’ and Dynamic Dealing
The subsequent investigative activities, employing both technical surveillance and dynamic operations, allowed authorities to:
- Ascend the ‘drug pyramid’: Identify a more extensive and structured network of individuals involved in the illicit trafficking of cocaine and marijuana in the eastern districts of Naples.
- Document the phenomenon’s progression: Reveal key figures linked to the Contini clan at the top echelons, each with clearly defined roles. These included ‘promoters’ of the association, ‘procurers’ and ‘couriers’ of narcotics, and recipients of the substances for subsequent retail distribution. Female figures were primarily involved in the concealment and possession of the drugs.
- Identify autonomous drug dealing hubs: Pinpoint two distinct drug dealing locations, both connected to the same criminal group. One specialized in cocaine trafficking, the other in marijuana, operating in the Naples districts of San Carlo all’Arena, Vasto, Arenaccia, Poggioreale, Mercato, and Rione Amicizia.
The drug distribution model was described as ‘dynamic,’ involving ‘door-to-door’ delivery of narcotics upon buyer request. This system utilized dedicated phone lines and a network of various pushers who provided a ‘delivery service,’ rapidly making deliveries by scooter throughout the day. These pushers worked in shifts and received a daily wage.
Legal Proceedings and Presumption of Innocence
These findings led the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Naples to consider the suspects seriously implicated, to varying degrees, in the crime of mafia-type association aimed at drug trafficking. It is important to note that the executed measure is a precautionary one, ordered during preliminary investigations. Appeals are permitted, and the individuals involved are presumed innocent until a definitive judgment is reached.
The Carabinieri’s ongoing efforts underscore the relentless commitment to combating organized crime and drug trafficking within the region, aiming to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety in Naples.
