Brescia-South America Drug Trafficking: Arrests in Palermo
Mass Arrests in Italy Target International Drug Trafficking Ring
Table of Contents
- Mass Arrests in Italy Target International Drug Trafficking Ring
- Palermo Suspects Face Varying Charges
- International Connections and mafia Ties
- Seizures and Previous Investigations
- Individuals Remanded to Prison
- Individuals Under house Arrest
- Mass Arrests in italy: Your Burning Questions Answered
- What happened in Italy?
- What drugs were involved?
- Where did the drugs originate?
- Who are the main suspects, and what were their roles?
- What were the charges against the suspects?
- How were the drugs processed and distributed?
- What methods did the criminals use?
- What were the logos found on the drugs?
- Where in Italy were the arrests and investigations taking place?
- who has been remanded in prison?
- Who is under house arrest?
- How did the investigation begin?
GUSSAGO, Italy – Italian authorities have apprehended 42 individuals in a large-scale operation targeting an international drug trafficking network.The suspects are accused of importing cocaine and other narcotics from South America, North Africa, and the Netherlands. Thirty of those arrested have been remanded to prison, while 12 are under house arrest, according to police reports.
The examination revealed two organized crime groups allegedly coordinating the import and distribution of drugs. Authorities believe these groups possessed weapons and operated with the consent of established mafia organizations, utilizing encrypted dialog technologies to conduct their illicit activities.
Palermo Suspects Face Varying Charges
Alessandro Choomo, 30, of Palermo, was placed under house arrest. Choomo was previously arrested in connection with a separate operation known as “Grande Winter.” Though, requests for precautionary measures against two other Palermo residents were denied by the judge, who cited insufficient evidence of ongoing risk, stating they appeared to be involved only in a single instance of transporting hashish. A fourth individual from Palermo faces mandatory residency restrictions.
International Connections and mafia Ties
Investigators allege the primary group, based near Brescia, imported cocaine directly from Colombia with the assistance of a South American woman acting as an intermediary with the ”Gulf clan.” Hashish was reportedly sourced from wholesalers in Morocco, who transported the drugs through Spain. Some members of the second group are believed to have ties to the Nirta and Strangio families of San Luca, associated with the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime syndicate, as well as Albanian nationals.This network allegedly controlled drug distribution in Gussago.
According to a statement released by the Brescia Police Headquarters, the drug deliveries were destined for areas under the control of various organized crime factions, including the Palermo mafia families of Santa Maria di Gesù, Porta Nuova, and Partinico-San Giuseppe Jato; the Villaseta mafia family in Agrigento; Stiddari clans in the province of Caltanissetta; and the Arenaccia and Orlando-Polverino-Nuvoletta clans of Marano, near Naples. These groups allegedly provided support for the distribution of cocaine and hashish throughout Italy.
Seizures and Previous Investigations
The investigation, which began in 2022, has so far led to 87 people being investigated, with 19 arrested on charges related to the possession and distribution of approximately 2,000 kilograms of cocaine, 1,500 kilograms of hashish, and 700 kilograms of marijuana. The drugs were found in vehicles, homes, and even a milk truckS cistern, and also a quarry in Lecce province.
Two years ago, authorities uncovered a drug refinery in Reggio Calabria, where Italians and Colombians allegedly used a secret formula to process cocaine. During that raid, police seized 34 kilograms of cocaine marked with logos such as “888,” “Cartier,” and a paw print, along with 11 kilograms of cutting agents, acetone, a hydraulic press, microwave ovens, scales, and other processing equipment, according to the Brescia Police Headquarters.
Individuals Remanded to Prison
- Younes Asmoune, born in morocco on 01.06.1978, domiciled in Roncadelle
- Dario Bovegno, born in Brescia on 28.12.1968, residing in Gussago
- Skerdi Bocoi, born in Albania on 23.07.1976, residing in Castel Mella
- Gilberto Bolpagni, born in Brescia on 01.08.1975, residing in Gussago
- Rino Decaminada, born in mezzana (TN) on 30.06.1954,residing in Brusnengo (BI)
- Abdelhak El Janati,born in Morocco on 24.07.1980, residing in Torbole Casaglia
- Hassan El Janati, born in Morocco on 12.12.1989, domiciled in spain
- Mouhcine El Janati, born in Morocco on 12.12.1989, residing in Ospitaletto
- Reda El Farrai, born in Morocco on 17.02.1998, domiciled in Torbole Casaglia
- Francesco Licaj, born in Brescia on 14.10.1995, residing in Cazzago San Martino
- Giuseppe Nirta, born in Locri (RC) on 12.04.1988, residing in San Luca (RC)
- Maryis Paola Perez Salcedo, born in Colombia on 25.02.1986, residing in Gussago
- Enrico Recent, born in Chiari on 31.10.1955, domiciled in Coccaglio
- Vincenzo Vivaldini, born in Naples on 14.01.1986, residing in ospitaletto
- Antonny Fernando Benavides Delgado, born in Colombia on 10.06.1997
- Antonio Callipari, born in Locri (RC) on 21.06.1993, residing in San Luca
- Patrizio provided, born in Rome (RM) on 06.03.1972, residing in Anzio (RM)
- Gennaro Fronoso, born in Pomigliano d’Arco (NA) on 07.01.1985, residing in Acerra (NA)
- Francesco Giorgi, born in Locri (RC) on 27.10.1982, residing in San Luca (RC), domiciled in Gussago
- Alfonso Mercurio, born in Mugnano di Napoli (NA) on 24.02.1980, residing in Marano di napoli (NA)
- pietro Muccini, born and resident in Rome on 03.09.1958
- Antonio Pipicella, born in Locri (RC) on 15.09.1994, residing in San Luca (RC)
- Antonio Pizzato, born in Locri (RC) on 30.10.1988, residing in San luca (RC)
- Giovanni Pizzato, born and resident in San Luca (RC) on 02.07.1962
- Antonio Romeo, born in Locri (RC) on 30.10.1971, residing in Villa Carcina
- Giuseppe Romeo, born in Locri (RC) on 05.11.1974, residing in Villa Carcina
- Salvatore Romeo, born in Locri (RC) on 03.06.1984, residing in San Luca (RC)
- Annibale Torchia, born in Soveria Mannelli (CZ) on 06.08.1975, residing in Gussago
- angelo Vivenzi, born in Gardone Val Trompia on 20.07.1967, residing in Marcheno
Individuals Under house Arrest
- Stefano Brandani, born in Palazzolo sull’Oglio on 04.02.1974, residing in Capriolo
- Fabiano Brandani, born in Palazzolo sull’Oglio on 05.07.1971, residing in Pontoglio
- Roberta renaldini, born and resident in Brescia on 14.06.1976
- Laura Averoldi, born in Brescia on 28.07.1980, residing in Travagliato
- Matteo Aitoro, born in Aprilia (LT) on 04.05.2001, domiciled in Anzio (RM)
- Pietro Capraro, born and resident in Agrigento (AG) on 27.11.1985
- gennaro Gargarelli, born in Naples (NA) on 29.11.1980, residing in Locate Triulzi (MI)
- Shkelzen guzina, born in Albania on 01.06.1990, residing in Brescia
- Antonio Maisto, born and resident in Acerra (NA) on 18.03.2003
- New Prela Prela, born in Albania 10,05,1985, address unknown
- Santino Russo, born and resident in Vittoria (RG) on 02.04.1985
- Alessandro Choomo, born in Palermo, on 22.2.1995
Article updated at 3:40 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2025.
Here’s an FAQ based on the provided article about the international drug trafficking ring, aiming too be informative, SEO-kind, and user-centric:
Mass Arrests in italy: Your Burning Questions Answered
This FAQ synthesizes the information from the article to address common questions about the bust.
What happened in Italy?
Italian authorities arrested 42 individuals in a major operation targeting an international drug trafficking network. The investigation led to important seizures of drugs and the dismantling of criminal groups involved in importing, processing, and distributing narcotics.
What drugs were involved?
The investigation focused on the import and distribution of:
cocaine: Approximately 2,000 kilograms seized.
Hashish: Approximately 1,500 kilograms seized.
Marijuana: Approximately 700 kilograms seized.
Where did the drugs originate?
The article states that The suspects are accused of importing cocaine and other narcotics from south America, North Africa, and the Netherlands.
Who are the main suspects, and what were their roles?
The investigation revealed two organized crime groups allegedly coordinating the import and distribution of drugs. The article mentions a South American woman acting as an intermediary with the “Gulf clan”.
What were the charges against the suspects?
The suspects face charges related to the possession and distribution of cocaine, hashish, and marijuana.
How were the drugs processed and distributed?
The article mentions a drug refinery where cocaine was processed using a secret formula. The drugs were then distributed to various organized crime factions across Italy.
What methods did the criminals use?
Authorities found that the criminals utilized encrypted dialog to conduct their illicit activities.
What were the logos found on the drugs?
The police seized 34 kilograms of cocaine marked with logos such as “888,” “Cartier,” and a paw print.
Where in Italy were the arrests and investigations taking place?
The main area of operations was centered around Gussago and Brescia, Italy. Additionally,connections extended to locations including:
Palermo
Reggio Calabria
Locri
Naples
Agrigento
who has been remanded in prison?
Thirty individuals were remanded to prison. Some of the names and birthdates/residences of those remanded to prison include:
younes Asmoune (Morocco,Roncadelle)
Dario Bovegno (Brescia,Gussago)
Skerdi Bocoi (Albania,Castel Mella)
Gilberto Bolpagni (Brescia,Gussago)
Rino Decaminada (Mezzana,Brusnengo)
Abdelhak El Janati (Morocco,Torbole Casaglia)
hassan El Janati (Morocco,domiciled in Spain)
Mouhcine El janati (Morocco,Ospitaletto)
Reda El Farrai (Morocco,Torbole Casaglia)
Francesco Licaj (Brescia,Cazzago San Martino)
Giuseppe Nirta (locri,San Luca)
Maryis Perez Salcedo (Colombia,Gussago)
Enrico Recent (Chiari,Coccaglio)
Vincenzo Vivaldini (Naples,Ospitaletto)
And others…
Who is under house arrest?
Twelve individuals were placed under house arrest. Some of the names and birthdates/residences of those in house arrest include:
stefano Brandani (Palazzolo sull’Oglio, Capriolo)
fabiano Brandani (Palazzolo sull’Oglio, Pontoglio)
Roberta renaldini (Brescia, resident in Brescia)
Laura averoldi (Brescia, Travagliato)
Matteo aitoro (Aprilia, Anzio)
Pietro Capraro (Agrigento, resident in Agrigento)
Gennaro Gargarelli (Naples, Locate Triulzi)
Shkelzen guzina (albania, Brescia)
Antonio Maisto (Acerra, resident in Acerra)
New Prela Prela (Albania, address unknown)
Santino Russo (Vittoria, resident in Vittoria)
Alessandro Choomo (Palermo)
How did the investigation begin?
The investigation started in 2022.
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article last updated: April 1, 2025, at 3:40 p.m. EDT.*