https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...-livorno-sempre-piu-centrale-per-i-clan/THE SITUATION
The 'Ndrangheta and cocaine from South America: the port of Livorno increasingly central for the clans
Seizures of large loads are multiplying in the Tuscan port. Today 217 kg, in November 2024 another 2 tons. Close contacts between the 'ndrine and the Albanian groups
Published: 21/01/2025 – 15:01
LAMEZIA TERME Livorno confirms itself – together with Gioia Tauro – as the most important port chosen by the 'ndrangheta for the arrival of large loads of cocaine from South America. The latest seizure in chronological order demonstrates, once again, its crucial role in the dynamics of international drug trafficking: 217 kilos of very pure cocaine, divided into almost 200 blocks with a commercial value on the drug dealing streets of over 60 million euros. The blocks of cocaine, explain the men of the Guardia di Finanza supported by the Customs agents, were hidden inside a container containing wood, unloaded from a cargo ship coming from South America and headed, needless to say, to Calabria.
Seizures on the rise
A seizure, therefore, large and that fits into a scenario that appears increasingly clear. Already in November 2024, in fact, a blitz coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia had led to the arrest of 30 people, all believed to be part of a criminal association aimed at international drug trafficking and involved in a series of episodes of importation, transportation and sale of drugs, of which 23 ended up in prison. The investigation activity had allowed the seizure of over 2 tons of cocaine, 45 kilos of hashish, 20 kilos of marijuana. Narcotics that - once on the market - would have earned around 70 million euros to the criminal gang.
The Anti-Mafia Investigation
The investigation conducted by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate in recent weeks had revealed a complex international drug trafficking network that, starting from Colombia, arrived on the Italian coasts, with the port of Livorno as the main distribution point. The cocaine, coming from Ecuador and managed by an Albanian broker, had been sent to Europe thanks to the collaboration of Italian criminal organizations, including the 'Ndrangheta, the Camorra and the Sacra Corona Unita. An integral part of the investigation were the statements of the repentant Errico D'Ambrosio, affiliated with the 'Ndrangheta Molè gang and in the past with the role of "Vangelo". It was he who confirmed that he had participated in two cocaine recovery operations in the port of Livorno, revealing the financiers and accomplices involved. According to the repentant Ernesto Modafferi, known as “Tommy”, a member of the Molè clan, the financiers included Mario Palamara (arrested in Spain in 2022) and a mysterious Albanian drug trafficker, known by the nickname “Porsche”. The investigations would later also reveal the use of sophisticated encrypted communication devices, including Israeli cryptophones, for conversations between the bosses and the emissaries. These devices, purchased in Spain at a price of 5,000 euros each, were used to coordinate drug exfiltration operations.
Joint venture between 'ndrangheta and Albanians
The investigation by the Florentine DDA had therefore brought to light a sort of joint venture between 'ndrangheta members and Albanians , reconstructing two cells that were essential for the recovery of the drug load: on one side the "recoverers" and the "supervisors", on the other the "senders". A profitable business, despite the numerous seizures carried out, and which would have seen the participation of at least three Calabrians: GL (class of '78) from Polistena, MP (class of '69) from Melito Porto Salvo and EM (class of '75) from Gioia Tauro, all three arrested. Today the new maxi seizure of cocaine that demonstrates how important the work of the police and investigators is to dismantle the huge and infinite business linked to international drug trafficking. (g.curcio@corrierecal.it)
