Transnational drug trafficking: State Police raid: four arrests in Venice, Padua, and France.

The State Police has launched a new and significant attack on international drug trafficking. Following a lengthy and detailed investigation coordinated by the Venice District Prosecutor's Office – Anti-Mafia Directorate, a precautionary measure has been executed against four individuals of Nigerian origin, deemed to be seriously suspected of belonging to a transnational criminal organization dedicated to drug trafficking.

The operations were conducted in the provinces of Venice and Padua, as well as in France, confirming the international dimension of the criminal organization and the need for constant coordination between judicial authorities and police forces in various European countries.

An organization with branches throughout Europe

The investigation, conducted by the Flying Squad of the Venice Police Headquarters, is part of a broader investigative effort that has led to the collection of serious evidence against 54 suspects, held responsible, to varying degrees, for the crimes of conspiracy to traffic narcotics and drug dealing.

The investigation began by monitoring the extensive network of drug dealers operating in the Mestre drug dealing area, allowing investigators to gradually trace the entire narcotics supply and distribution chain. This revealed the operation of a transnational criminal syndicate, with its operational headquarters in the Netherlands and branches in Italy and other European Union countries.

According to investigators' reconstruction, the organization was dedicated to the importation and trafficking of cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines, which were subsequently destined for drug dealing centers in Veneto and other Italian regions.

International couriers and logistics bases in the Padua area

A central role in the group's criminal economy was played by a network of international couriers of various nationalities. Investigations documented the use of Italian, Spanish, German, and Dutch nationals to transport the drugs along the main European routes.

Also crucial to managing trafficking were the logistics bases identified in the Padua area, used to conceal and store drugs before distribution. This tried-and-tested system ensured continuous supplies and evaded law enforcement for long periods of time.

The investigative activities were supported by wiretaps, electronic communications, and environmental surveillance, which allowed the organization's roles, hierarchies, and operating methods to be delineated, strengthening the evidence against the suspects.

The judicial process and the turning point on appeal

The precautionary measure executed represents the judicial epilogue, in a precautionary capacity, of the progressive initiatives adopted by the Venice Public Prosecutor's Office following the Flying Squad's investigations.

Specifically, the original request for precautionary measures against some of the suspects was initially rejected by the Preliminary Investigations Judge. However, the District Attorney's Office challenged this decision, filing an appeal and insisting on the relevance of the conspiracy offense for the positions deemed most significant.

The Court of Review accepted the prosecutors' arguments, recognizing the validity of the prosecution's claims and confirming the solidity of the circumstantial evidence presented by the investigators. One of the suspects subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of Cassation, which was however dismissed on the merits.

The numbers of the operation

Overall, during the investigation:

• 54 individuals, of Nigerian and other nationalities, were investigated;
• approximately 50 kilograms of narcotic substances, including cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, were seized;
• Seven individuals were arrested in flagrante delicto, between Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige.

Regarding the four recipients of the restrictive measure, some of whom are considered to be top figures in the organization:

• one was located and arrested in the province of Padua;
• one was arrested in France, by the transalpine police authorities, pursuant to a European arrest warrant;
• one was stopped at the Venice air border, on his return from England;
• one is still wanted.

The commitment against drug trafficking

Investigations remain open to identify further responsibilities and supply channels, while repressive efforts continue with the goal of definitively dismantling the organization.