The financial police of the Provincial Command of Reggio Calabria – as part of the judicial police activity coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palmi directed by Dr. Emanuele Crescenti, carried out in collaboration with the Customs Office of Gioia Tauro – have completed a detailed investigation which has allowed the seizure of various components for the assembly of two drones for military use. In this context, 6 containers coming from China and destined for Libya were identified and intercepted in the port of Gioia Tauro, based on the examination of the maritime routes of interest and on the basis of anomalies in the accompanying customs documentation.
The kidnapping
These containers were supposed to transport components for the assembly of wind generators for electricity. After carrying out the X-ray scan with equipment in use at the local Customs and Monopolies Agency, further investigations were carried out by investigators from the Gioia Tauro Guardia di Finanza Group, allowing them to ascertain that, despite having construction features similar to component parts of wind turbines (Wind Power Equipment Accessories), the transported goods presented construction elements and details such as to suggest that they could be the fuselages and wings of flight-ready aircraft such as, precisely, drones for military use. These components were hidden among some composite covering loads replicating wind turbine blades, with the aim of concealing the checks carried out. The assembled autonomous vehicles (UAVs) have a tonnage of over 3 tons, a length of over 10 meters and a wingspan of about 20 meters.
In light of the facts established – at the stage of the proceedings and without prejudice to any subsequent different assessment on the merits – the seizure was ordered in relation to the hypothesis of international arms trafficking towards a country – such as Libya – subject to an embargo on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council and national and community regulations. The activity conducted by the Finance Police of the Gioia Tauro Group, in collaboration with the Customs and Monopolies Agency, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palmi, further demonstrates the fundamental contribution in the context of the fight against illicit trafficking through investigative activities and other inspection interventions attributable to the respective functions and responsibilities.
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