Arrests for drug trafficking in Altamura: a criminal organization decapitated

Ten people were arrested following a Carabinieri operation coordinated by the Bari District Anti-Mafia Directorate

An operation coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bari and conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command led to the arrest of ten people in Altamura, accused of being involved in a criminal organization aimed at drug trafficking. The investigation, which began in November 2020 and continued until April 2021, made it possible to dismantle a network that operated in a widespread manner across the territory.

The members of the association, among which the figure of CD, 51 years old, stands out, dealt with various aspects of drug trafficking, from retail distribution to the custody of the narcotic, also organizing a “traveling drug dealing”. The investigation began with intimidating incidents related to debt in the context of drug trafficking, including a threatening message written on a wall.

The Carabinieri operation, supported by wiretaps and other investigative findings, documented exchanges of cocaine, hashish and marijuana, also highlighting the organization’s availability of weapons to impose its criminal presence. The request for precautionary measures by the Prosecutor’s Office was accepted by the investigating judge of the Court of Bari, who issued a precautionary custody order for the alleged perpetrators.

While the investigations continue, the importance of the authorities’ work in combating drug trafficking is underlined, reiterating the key role of the institutions in the fight against this criminal phenomenon. The legal procedure will include further moments of verification and comparison, including the guarantee interrogation and the procedural phases where an in-depth cross-examination between the prosecution and the defense will be possible.