Intimidation of rivals and drug dealing, “you have to buy the “material” from us”: ten arrests in the Bari area

BARI – The Carabinieri of the Bari provincial command have carried out a precautionary custody order against ten people, nine of whom are accused of being part of an association dedicated to drug trafficking, also linked by family relationships; while another person is accused of possession for the purpose of trafficking in competition. The order was issued by the investigating judge of the Bari court at the request of the local anti-mafia district directorate.

The investigations, coordinated by the Bari DDA and conducted from November 2020 to April 2021 by the operational section of the Altamura company, were started after the damage to two cars and the creation of a threatening writing (“you have to take the material from us” ) on the wall of the home of a 51-year-old who is believed to be the head of the association defeated by the arrests.

According to what the investigations ascertained, the intimidation was due to debts accumulated in the context of drug trafficking. The wiretaps and various findings highlighted the presence of suppliers and the division of tasks among the suspects, including “the chief promoter”, “organizers of drug dealing and retail sales in the area”, “custodians of the narcotic” and “pusher”. They all operated through rigorous coordination of illicit activities throughout the Altamura area, including through a “traveling drug dealing”.

Numerous terms conventionally used to indicate the place where the exchange was carried out and to quantify the narcotic to be sold also emerged, including «the sandwiches are made there… it’s not like there is a kilo of healthy bread… we have to stay within knead the rolls and all the dough… now let’s see what he can do and we’ll cut it in front quickly…”

During the investigations, numerous sales of cocaine, hashish and marijuana were ascertained, and it was also ascertained that the association had the availability of weapons, ammunition and devices through which to intimidate those who opposed the criminal intent.