https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...oia-tauro-centrale-per-il-narcotraffico/Published on: 06/18/2024 – 11:13
'Ndrangheta, the rise of the Bellocco and Piromalli in the North and Gioia Tauro «central for drug trafficking»
This is what emerges from the Dia report relating to the first half of 2023. No "significant changes" have been recorded but sentences in trials are increasing
LAMEZIA TERME During the first half of 2023, "there were no significant changes in the general picture relating to the situation of organized crime in Calabria". This is what we read in the Dia's half-yearly report with reference to the first six months of last year , which underlines the "international projection of the 'Ndrangheta's drug trafficking" in relationships with cocaine suppliers in Central and South America such as Colombia, Brazil , Ecuador and Panama and with paramilitary organizations active in the sector such as the Gulf clan in Colombia, as demonstrated in operations “ Sunset ”, “ Eureka ” and “ Gentleman2 ”. Furthermore, the money laundering activity of the 'ndrangheta is confirmed in various European countries such as France, Germany and Portugal, "through the purchase of luxury goods and the start of activities in the catering and car wash sectors" reports Dia, thanks also to the operations of subjects of Chinese nationality.
The rise of the Belloccos and the Piromallis
As reported again in the report, there was further confirmation of the ultra-regional projection - in particular in Milan and Lombardy - of the Bellocco gang , as already emerged in the previous semester with the "Ritorno" operation. The same considerations apply to Emilia-Romagna, with the presence of the Crotone and Reggio gangs ("Aspromonte Emiliano" operation). Another element of significant interest emerged from the reasons for the sentence of the "Mandamento Jonico" trial, celebrated with ordinary rite, filed on 14 March 2023 by the Court of Appeal of Reggio Calabria, which depicted the existence of a "federal" system, divided by skills . Furthermore, the Dia confirms the role of power assumed by female figures of the Piromalli gang and who manage the affairs in the absence of husbands and fathers in prison, as emerged for example in the "Hybris" operation, in continuity with what emerged the last semester for the Bellocco and Rosmini-Serraino gangs.
The processes
Also for the semester in question - Dia then reports - we note the significant number of judicial rulings that came at the end of the many trials , often with the imposition of heavy sentences against members of organized crime, which affected the jurisdiction of the Courts of the district of Reggio Calabria. As, for example, the sentence issued on 25 March 2023 in the “'Ndrangheta massacre” appeal process confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment against the two defendants, for the murder of two Carabinieri and for the attempted murders committed in be between the end of 1993 and the beginning of 1994 in the capital of Reggio Emilia, with a view to the 'ndrangheta joining the continental massacre project developed by "Cosa Nostra". The Dia, in the report, highlights what emerged following the " Hybris " operation, conducted by the Carabinieri on 9 March 2023, relating to the will expressed by members of the Piromalli and Pesce gangs to «join the project aimed at carrying out attacks in damage to the Carabinieri, as well as to a politician". Still in the same investigative context, the contrary opinion of the Mancuso di Limbadi gang emerged regarding the sharing of the Sicilian project.
Drugs and the Gioia Tauro airport
The narcotics sector is confirmed - Dia finally notes - as the driving sector for the criminal economy and this is demonstrated by the high quantity of drugs subject to international trafficking by the gangs "who have the port of Gioia as their logistical center of gravity and privileged entry point Taurus." In particular, the Financial Police alone, during 10 operations conducted in the Calabrian port, seized almost 3.5 tons of cocaine.
