CALTANISSETTA, 22 MAY – Fifteen people were arrested as part of an anti-drug operation called Albana carried out by the Carabinieri del Ros assisted, in the operational phase, by personnel from the provincial commands of the Carabinieri of Enna, Caltanissetta, Catania and Brescia. According to the prosecution’s reconstruction, the narcotic substance arrived from Germany to Barrafranca, via Enna emigrants living in that country. In relation to the suspects, the investigating judge of Caltanissetta, at the request of the local DDA, hypothesizes various crimes of criminal association aimed at the production and trafficking of narcotic substances such as marijuana and hashish aggravated by the availability of weapons. Three of them are also under investigation for fictitious registration of assets, and one of the three is accused of having weapons and ammunition. Among the recipients of the precautionary order were also two people under investigation for the illicit production, trafficking and possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances. All the suspects are the recipients of the precautionary measure in prison, except two subjected to house arrest with electronic bracelets. As part of the same investigation, the Caltanissetta DDA issued search decrees in Germany, through a European investigation order, against two suspects resident in Cologne who were carried out by the local criminal police and BKA with the presence also of Ros personnel as part of an international cooperation launched under the aegis of Europol. The activities were supported by the @ON Network financed by the EU Commission. The investigation is the natural continuation of the commitment of the Caltanissetta Prosecutor’s Office and the ROS in combating organized and mafia crime in the province of Enna. In this context, on 4 December 2021 the son of one of the suspects in precautionary custody was arrested in Bavaria coming from Cologne and heading to Sicily, having been found in possession of 300 grams of cocaine. According to the investigating judge’s order from the wiretaps, supported by observation, control and shadowing services, it provided serious clues regarding the connection of two of the suspects with important positions with elements linked to the “ognina-Picanello” organized crime of Catania. (HANDLE).
