https://newsbook.com.mt/en/cocaine-...ported-by-eurojust-61-arrested-in-italy/Cocaine-smuggling ring busted following a major operation supported by Eurojust; 61 arrested in Italy
Some 135 individuals are under investigation following the arrests of 66 individuals during a major operation against Albanian drug-trafficking ring in Italy.
The investigation had been requested by Brescia’s Guardia di Finanza and was coordinated by anti-mafia prosecutors Erica Battaglia and Francesco Milanesi. Among the 61 individuals arrested in Italy, there is Vincenzo Bruno, who is related to members of Brindisi’s Sacra Corona unita. The man was allegedly in touch with the criminal organisation active in Albania that was importing cocaine into Italy from Holland and Spain.
According to a Guardia di Finanza official two different groups emerged during the investigation: an Italo-Chinese and an Albanian one. The latter were in charge of trafficking while the former was responsible for laundering the proceeds of crime.
The Albanian led-organised crime group had been selling cocaine from Latin America for at least four years, mainly in the north of Italy. The drugs were imported from South America to Spain and the Netherlands using commercial shipping. The cocaine was then transported over land using heavy vehicles.
Until the drugs were distributed out, the cocaine was allegedly stored in five warehouse and storage centres located in Brescia, Romano di Lombardia and Palazzolo sull’Oglio, before it was distributed. The money was laundered through an Italian-Chinese individuals living in Brescia. They set up an extensive network of enterprises which supplied fake invoices for a total value of around €375 million.
On Wednesday, 45 suspects were arrested, most of them in Italy. A day earlier, 21 suspects involved in the sale of cocaine in and around the city of Brescia were arrested. In total, 66 arrests were made.
In a statement, Eurojust said it set up a coordination centre this week to support and coordinate the actions of all authorities involved.
During the investigations and the action day, for an estimated amount of €4 million in cash was seized, as well as 360 kilograms of cocaine, luxury vehicles and watches, telecommunications equipment, arms and ammunition.
The arrested individuals will be charged with the trafficking of illicit drugs, money laundering and investment fraud.
During this week’s action day, over 400 officers were deployed across Italy.
To assist the authorities on the ground, Eurojust set up a coordination centre at its premises in The Hague and supported the execution of European Arrest Warrants and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance towards Albania and Switzerland.
Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries and provided operational coordination as well as analytical support. On the action day, a Europol analyst with a mobile office was deployed to cross-check information on the spot in Italy.
