Sixteen kilos of hashish (mostly) and cocaine were seized, with the discovery of a possible locally run drug dealing franchise (seven arrests in total between Elmas, Cagliari, Monserrato, Quartu Sant'Elena and Quartucciu), four arrests for illegal immigration and a flurry of checks in the areas with the busiest nightlife.
This is the outcome of the Cagliari front of the operation to combat youth crime launched by the Ministry of the Interior in several Italian provinces. Police reports, based on the reports of 106 Mobile Squads, reveal the overall picture: 575 adults arrested, 69 minors, 1,695 young people reported, including 373 minors, and 236,138 young people monitored, including 23,060 minors. 69.4 kilograms of cocaine, 328.44 grams of heroin, and 174.8 kilograms of cannabinoids were seized. 1,115 social media profiles were also monitored.
The Cagliari front
Cagliari police reported that "their activities primarily focused on combating drug trafficking and dealing, identifying foreign citizens who had illegally returned to Italy after being subject to expulsion orders, and strengthening controls in the city areas most frequented by young people."
Anti-drug activities
The anti-drug operations led to the seizure of approximately 16 kilograms of narcotics, as well as approximately 35,000 euros believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing.
The first operation dates back to October 9th, when investigators arrested a 19-year-old man from Elmas who was carrying approximately 70 grams of hashish. On October 15th, the Flying Falcons arrested a 25-year-old resident in the hinterland. He had been observed in Stampace riding a scooter and carrying a backpack, entering a building in the area. He then entered a garage and was stopped. The backpack contained several blocks of hashish, and numerous others were found in the garage. Overall, the operation resulted in the seizure of 88 blocks, weighing more than 6.2 kilos, and over €450 in cash. This discovery was cross-referenced with previous investigations: in September, the same young man, after attempting to evade a patrol car check, was found in possession of approximately €28,000, which was placed under preventive seizure following his arrest. The young man is currently in prison.
A further operation was completed the following day, October 16, in Monserrato: here, the Falchi arrested two young men, aged 18 and 25. A search of their home resulted in the seizure of approximately 7.1 kilograms of hashish and 300 grams of marijuana, divided into numerous packages. One package was marked with the "La Famille Frero Sardegna" logo. The same symbol was also found on a pocketknife. This item is considered "of particular investigative interest, on which further investigations are underway, and could represent a sort of distinctive mark used to identify and sell the drug in the illicit market." Investigators are also "examining the possibility that part of the seized substance was intended not only for retail distribution, but also for supplying other individuals engaged in the same illicit activity, potentially linked to a distribution network characterized by the use of a common brand." An operating method that, if confirmed, could recall a sort of "drug dealing franchise", characterized by the marketing of drugs under a recognizable identity shared by different pushers.
The two young men were arrested: the twenty-five-year-old is under house arrest, the eighteen-year-old is required to sign in.
On October 27, another arrest was made in Quartu Sant'Elena: over 320 grams of drugs, including hashish and marijuana, were found under a young man's bed, divided into blocks, wrappers, and packages of various sizes. But what really caught the attention of the police was the substantial sum of cash found: €6,000.
Other arrests
Not just young people. As part of the operation, two more arrests were made in October. A forty-four-year-old man from Villaputzu was stopped on the 8th on the 554 following a tip-off on the YouPol app: he was driving a car with 55 grams of cocaine hidden among the dashboard cables behind the steering wheel. A second operation was carried out on October 22nd by investigators from the Anti-Drug Unit in Quartucciu, where a 50-year-old man was arrested. He had over a kilogram and a half of narcotics in his home, divided into approximately 1.4 kilograms of hashish, 100 grams of marijuana, and 9 grams of cocaine. Some of the drugs were stored in the refrigerator and freezer, while additional quantities were hidden in the bedroom closet.
Illegal immigration
Further results were obtained from the screening and identification of foreigners arriving in Sardinia from Algeria. Staff from the Police Headquarters' Immigration Office, with the support of the Regional Forensic Police Department, conducted in-depth investigations into the presence of several foreigners. The checks identified seven Algerians (four under the age of 30) who had previously been subject to rejection orders issued by the Police Chief or expulsion orders issued by the Prefect. By verifying their personal details and examining the previous orders, it was discovered that the four had re-entered the country, and they were arrested.
Prevention services
The Cagliari Police Headquarters has also intensified its territorial patrols, focusing on areas most frequented by young people and minors. During the operations, 370 youths and 235 vehicles were checked. The checks were also extended to bars and restaurants: the Administrative and Social Police (PAS) division found three administrative violations related to the serving of alcoholic beverages, proceeding with the resulting charges.
Enrico Fresu