Trapani: arrest of the Luppino brothers for aiding and abetting and failure to comply with the sentence, aggravated by having been committed to benefit Cosa Nostra.

On 13 February 2024 the Carabinieri of the ROS and the Provincial Carabinieri Command of Trapani and the policemen of the Central Operational Service carried out an order of precautionary custody in prison issued by the investigating judge at the Court of Palermo, at the request of this District Anti-Mafia Directorate, against the Luppino brothers Antonino and Vincenzo, both investigated for aiding and abetting and procured failure to comply with the sentence aggravated by having been committed with the aim of benefiting the mafia association called Cosa Nostra.

The activity, conducted in the context of investigations aimed at reconstructing the network of supporters who supported the then fugitive Messina Denaro Matteo, made it possible to collect investigative elements which lead to the hypothesis that the two suspects, together with their father Luppino Giovanni Salvatore (currently detained and subjected to summary judgment before the GUP of Palermo), contributed with their conduct to the maintenance of the top management functions of the chief Castelvetranese mafia, providing him with prolonged and varied assistance during his absence and participating in the confidential communications system activated in his favor.

The investigations carried out jointly (with the coordination of this District Anti-Mafia Directorate) by the ROS of the Carabinieri, by the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Trapani and by the SCO of the State Police - corroborated by the analysis of telephone records and cell traffic, by the viewing of images of video surveillance and from genetic and papillary scientific evidence – have allowed us to acquire serious clues regarding the diversified illicit activities carried out by the Luppino brothers in order to "protect" the inaction of the Trapani mafia leader.

Searches are currently underway in the province of Trapani, with the support of personnel from the Helicopter Squadron "Hunters Sicily" of the Carabinieri and the Crime Prevention Departments of the State Police.