Lecce, “Ariadne's Thread” operation: mafia, drugs, extortion and robberies. 16 people were arrested. 

Lecce, “Ariadne's Thread” operation: mafia, drugs, extortion and robberies. 16 people were arrested. 

Today the ROS, with the support in the executive phase of the Provincial Carabinieri Commands of Lecce and Milano, of the 6th Helicopter Unit of Bari, of the Carabinieri Dog Unit of Modugno (BA) and of the Carabinieri Cacciatori Helicopter Squadron of Puglia, executed a precautionary custody order in prison issued by the Court of Lecce at the request of the local Anti-Mafia District Prosecutor's Office against 16 subjects presumably linked to the "POLITI" clan, investigated, for various reasons, for mafia-type association, association aimed at drug trafficking, extortion, robbery and fraudulent transfer of values, use of money, goods or utilities of origin aggravated offenses pursuant to art. 416 bis 1 cp

The activities - with reference to the "POLITI" clan, which is believed to be operating in Monteroni, Lecce, Arnesano, San Pietro in Lama, Novoli, Leverano, Porto Cesareo and Veglie - have allowed the following scenarios to be hypothesized:

– the reorganization – following the ROS operation LABYRINTH (2018), in which the POLITI clan leader Saulle cl was also arrested. 72 – favored, starting from 2019, by the home detention of TARANTINO Gabriele cl. 79 who would assume the regency, taking care of the affiliation of new members of the organization and the definition of criminal strategies;

– the internal structures and the existence of a common fund, where the illicit proceeds flowed and were used to support the detained affiliates and their families, as well as the financing of entrepreneurial activities attributable to the association;

– the relationships maintained by TARANTINO with the heads of other clans federated to the Sacra Corona Unita and with the leaders of the 'Ndrangheta gang “MAMMOLITI-fischiante”.

From the point of view of conditioning the economic fabric, it is believed to have documented the propensity of mafia groups to infiltrate local production activities, including the fishing, seaside and restaurant sectors, as well as through the fictitious establishment of companies registered in the name of a citizen of Albanian nationality (suspect not subject to precautionary measure), used to launder illicit proceeds through the system of issuing invoices for non-existent operations.

As regards drug trafficking, the operation of an association headed by the aforementioned TARANTINO would have emerged which, also through other associates, would have taken care of the supplies of narcotics intended for the Lecce market (cocaine, heroin, hashish and marijuana) which took place through suppliers operating in Spain or exponents of the aforementioned "MAMMOLITI-fischiante" gang, active in Puglia and other Italian regions and in direct relationships with South American suppliers and international drug traffickers.

During the operation, two other subjects were arrested and found in possession of approximately 5 kg of cocaine and 300 thousand euros in cash.

The suspects are to be considered not guilty until the conviction becomes irrevocable.