
A criminal drug trafficking network operating between Italy and Albania has been dismantled and 16 arrests have been made. They were generating 150,000 euros in profits every month.
The operation concluded today in Pescara, where all Court orders were executed, with 9 people in prison and 7 under house arrest.
The orders were issued by the Preliminary Investigation Judge, at the request of the Deputy Public Prosecutor of Pescara, who coordinated and directed all investigative activities.
Some of the suspects have previous criminal records. Large quantities of drugs were seized over the course of a year, and 2 kg of cocaine were caught red-handed. The evidence collected is based on interception of conversations between members of the group, mainly telephone conversations.
The investigations began in March 2024, which allowed them to collect serious evidence against numerous individuals believed to be involved, in various capacities, in a complex drug trafficking network, run mainly by Albanians.
The operation, codenamed "MareMagnum", takes its name from the size of the geographical area involved, not only in the city of Pescara and the nearby municipality of Montesilvano, but also other provinces of the national territory, with ramifications extending as far as Albania.
"The investigation relies on targeted surveillance services on drug use, with particular attention to the so-called 'Pescara elite'. These investigations have gradually uncovered a structured and deep-rooted criminal network, traceable to individuals of Italian and Albanian nationality, who, although not necessarily acting in a coordinated manner, are nevertheless part of a network of relationships useful for illegal trafficking," authorities said after the operation.
Investigators broke down the trafficking scheme and roles, the entire drug trafficking chain, starting from the lowest levels to the top of the organization.
Suspicious characters active in various sectors of the city's economic life, entrepreneurs of various kinds, professionals (lawyers, doctors), restaurant owners, now held under control by a large, increasingly organized group of drug traffickers.
The criminal organization included a diverse group of individuals: from highly dangerous criminals to street vendors, as well as a large and established customer base.
Thanks to a steady flow of daily sales, the network generated income of over 150,000 euros per month for the criminals operating in the group, Italian media reports.
Criminals did not hesitate to use violent measures to enforce payments for drug shipments, or to exercise their authority within the drug trafficking network.