Mafia and drugs in Palermo, 26 sentences for over two centuries of prison THE NAMES AND THE PENALTIES The investigation a year ago dealt a heavy blow to the sale of narcotics in the Sperone and Brancaccio neighborhoods
by Editorial Staff
March 20, 2025
The preliminary hearing judge of Palermo Cristina Lo Bue has sentenced a total of 26 people accused, on various counts, of association for the purpose of drug trafficking aggravated by mafia methods and drug dealing to over two centuries in prison. The trial was held in an abbreviated manner.
The investigation that led to the trial, coordinated by the district anti-mafia directorate headed by prosecutor Maurizio de Lucia, dealt a heavy blow to drug dealing in the Sperone and Brancaccio neighborhoods a year ago. In order to enter the drug "strongholds", undercover agents were employed who managed to have contacts with the leaders of the criminal group that managed the dealing. The investigation also ascertained Cosa Nostra's interests in the distribution of profits from the illicit activity. During the checks it was discovered that the sale of the drug took place 24 hours a day, with a rigid organization of the shifts of pushers and lookouts.
The sentences These are the sentences decided by the judge: 9 years and 4 months for Salvatore Agnello, 8 years and 2 months for Davide Anselmo, 10 years and 10 months for Davide Giuseppe Arduino, 14 years and 4 months for Nicola Argeri, 20 years for Pietro Argeri, 14 years and 6 months for Samuele Argeri, 12 for Alessio Salvo Caruso, 6 years and 8 months for Maria Chiappara, 18 years for Sebastiano Chiappara. Daniela Chiovaro was sentenced to 4 years, Paolo Chiovaro to 8 years, Salvatore Cipolla to 2 years and 8 months, Salvatore Fiorentino to 4 years, Luigi Iemmito to 6 years and 9 months, Gaetano Ingrassia to 19 years and 3 months, Isidoro Lo Nardo to 8 years and 2 months, Giuseppe Lucchese to 7 years, Vincenzo Lucchese to 5 years and 4 months, Pietro Mazza to 17 years and 9 months, Antonino Messina to 4 years, Francesco Messina to 5 years and 9 months, Salvatore Messina to 10 years and 4 months. Salvatore Navarra was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months, Antonino Ricotta to 10 years and 4 months, Girolamo Tarantino to 11 years and 8 months and Salvatore Zora to 8 years and 4 months.
