Lecce: Rivers of drugs and weapons. 9 people arrested by the State Police

At the first light of dawn the State Police of Lecce ha arrested, pursuant to a custody order, 9 Guests, of which 8 were taken to prison and 1 placed under house arrest. The suspects are seriously suspected, in various capacities, of having been part of acriminal association for the purpose of trafficking of large quantities of narcotic substances and possession of weapons and of explosive material.

Today's operation, which involved the use of 60 men from the State Police, also involved Organized crime figures, already convicted for having been part of the mafia-style criminal organization "Sacra Corona Unita“, historically rooted in the capital of Salento, but with ramifications in various centers of the province.

The preliminary investigations have allowed us to acquire a solid body of evidence regarding the existence and operation of aassociation, rooted in Lecce, led respectively by MF (class 69) as promoter and by FM (class 74) as organizer, dedicated to the trafficking and trade in a structured and organised manner of large quantities of narcotic substances, mainly of the type heroin.

The investigative activities originated from thearrest of a small-time drug dealer, but subsequent investigations have allowed us to document how there was a lot behind him structured organization; in this context it has in fact emerged that the relevant leaders used, as an organizational and decision-making basis, a small bakery of this center where the most important decisions were made.

Thus the investigators discovered a capillary structuring in which there was a precise division of tasks among the members, the use of encrypted cell phones and safe deposits in which to hide the illicit material.

There have been numerous and large seizures of drugs, for an amount of over 60 kg.

The arrest of an associate, which took place in Lecce on 20 May 2021, is linked to the same facts, when, during a house search, a was identified weapons and drug depot at the disposal of the investigated group; on this occasion over 54 kg of heroin, weapons, including automatic and war guns (including an AK 47 Kalashnikov), explosive material (TNT, a hand grenade, rudimentary devices) also equipped with the relevant primers and detonators, numerous guns and balaclavas.

The intense investigative activity, articulated in telephone, environmental and telematic interceptions, as well as numerous video recordings, promptly verified by meticulous observation and shadowing services using the most classic methodologies, has allowed us to acquire a seriously circumstantial picture against each defendant subjected to today's precautionary measure.

The order was issued by the Preliminary Investigation Judge of the Court of Lecce and was carried out on behalf of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Lecce – District Anti-Mafia Directorate.

The activities involved the use of police officers from the Lecce Flying Squad and Crime Prevention Department, with the use of the canine unit and a Helicopter of the Flight Department.