Potenza, "Idra" operation: 26 arrests for drugs, complex drug dealing network dismantled

Di Vincenzo Sangalli il 9 Jul, 2021

Potenza, yesterday, following investigations coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Potenza - District Anti-Mafia Directorate - and conducted by the Carabinieri of the Investigative Unit of Potenza, an order for the application of precautionary measures was executed, ordered by the GIP of Potenza, as part of the “Idra” operation. The investigations, started in April 2019, led to the issuing of 26 precautionary measures (13 of precautionary custody under house arrest, 8 residence obligations and 5 obligations to report to the Judicial Police) regarding the hypotheses of the crime of association aimed at illicit trafficking of narcotic substances and possession for the purpose of drug dealing.
The people affected by the provision are:

1. BANU Stefan Ovidiu, cl. 2000, resident in Viggiano (house arrest);
2. BARBANTE Mattia, cl. 1992, resident in Paterno (house arrest);
3. COIRO Mario, cl. 1999, resident in Potenza (house arrest);
4. MARCHESE Giovanni, cl. 2001, resident in Viggiano (house arrest);
5. MASINO Nunzio, cl. 1987, resident in Bassano Romano (VT), (house arrest);
6. ROCCA Ivan, cl. 2000, resident in Marsicovetere (house arrest);
7. BAH Momodou, cl. 1997, untraceable (house arrest); el
8. BOY Oruwa, cl. 1986, resident in Potenza (house arrest);
9. KANDHE Ebrima, cl. 1997, resident in Brienza (PZ), (house arrest);
10. KANDHE Essa, born in 1998, resident in Brienza (PZ), (house arrest);
11. PETER Friday, born in 1992, resident in Sasso di Castalda (PZ), (house arrest);
12. SAGNA Lamine, born in 1997, untraceable, (house arrest);
13. SAIDY Saiku, born in 1993, untraceable, (house arrest);
14. EL JIHAD Jamal, born in 1995, resident in Paterno (PZ), (residence obligation);
15. FRONZAROLI Giuseppe, born in 1997, resident in Marsicovetere, (residence obligation);
16. LANGONE Nunzio, born in 1980, resident in Fanna (PN), (residence obligation);
17. LENTINI Yuri, cl. 1992, resident in Sala Consilina (SA), (residence obligation);
18. PIETRAFESA Angelo, born in 1999, resident in Paterno (PZ), (residence obligation);
19. BAH Korka, cl. 1997, untraceable, (obligation to reside outside the region);
20. JALLOW Mamadou, cl. 1997, resident in Brienza (PZ), (obligation to reside outside the region);
21. SUNO Bambo, cl. 1994, untraceable, (obligation to reside outside the region);
22. ARAGBONFOH Mavis Eliemehye, cl. 1997, resident in Como, (obligation to report to the PG);
23. BANGURA Lamin, cl. 1998, untraceable, (obligation to submit to the PG);
24. DIALLO Ibrahima, cl. 1996, resident in Potenza, (obligation to report to the PG);
25. JAW Mamodou, cl. 1989, resident in Corigliano Calabro (CS), (obligation to report to the PG);
26. NJIE Ismaila, cl. 1999, resident in Sezze Romano (LT), (obligation to report to the PG);

The aforementioned measures were carried out together with as many home, vehicle and personal searches.
The development of the investigations, in which the recipients of the restrictive measures are involved, in various capacities, has made it possible to identify two distinct criminal groups: – the first, of ethnic origin, dedicated to the procurement and marketing of significant
quantities of drugs, active in the historic center of Potenza and with branches in various municipalities in Potenza in the Val D'Agri, made up of migrants of Gambian and Nigerian nationality. Specifically, it was ascertained:

the hierarchical-vertical structure of the criminal group with a stable division of roles and tested interactions between the subjects belonging to the two ethnic groups;
his ability to procure narcotics through compatriots fully integrated into organized crime contexts in Campania and Lazio;
the use of a complex network of couriers (mainly Gambian women);
the second, made up of a complex network of retail dealers, of Italian nationality, who, although not linked to each other by associative ties, acted in constant collaboration and in a mutualistic manner.

During the investigations, which lasted more than two years and mainly consisted of telephone wiretapping, observation and shadowing services, as well as checks and searches, 1 arrest was made in flagrante delicto, 2 people were released into custody and 6 other subjects were administratively reported as users, seizing half a kilogram of drugs, such as hashish and marijuana.
The measurement was carried out by 100 soldiers from the Carabinieri Provincial Command of Potenza, who made use of the support of personnel from the Carabinieri Companies of Latina, Como, Spilimbergo (PN), Ronciglione (VT) and Sala Consilina (SA) in the executive phases. of an aircraft of the 7th Carabinieri Helicopter Unit of Pontecagnano – Faiano (SA) and of various anti-drug and weapons-explosive search units of the Carabinieri Dog Unit of Tito (PZ). At the moment, 6 suspects remain untraceable.