An aggravated scam aimed at obtaining public contributions, for a total amount unduly received of over 4 million euros. It is the one discovered by the soldiers of the Aeronaval Operations Department of the Guardia di Finanza of Sardinia, as part of an investigation which involved 161 subjects and 19 companies operating in the fishing sector, all reported to the Judicial Authority.
The investigations - still ongoing - are given an account in the budget released in these hours relating to the 2023 activity of the "Roan" Department of Cagliari which, explains a note, «always within the scope of the checks carried out on economic operators operating in the marine or coastal state property, the investigations carried out regarding direct and indirect taxes have made it possible to raise fines of more than 300 thousand euros, as well as to carry out targeted activities with almost 800 checks and financial investigations on boat owners , also for fish police purposes and maritime, as well as for the identification of illegal or irregular workers".
RECREATIONAL – «In the summer season and in the places with a greater tourist vocation, checks were intensified aimed at verifying the correct application of the regulations on pleasure boating which led to the ascertainment of 89 violations regarding the rental and leasing of boats, for over 250 thousand euros in fines. In practice, also in order to protect fair competition in the specific sector, the air-naval component of the Guardia di Finanza has proceeded to identify and sanction the subjects who have carried out rental activities of pleasure boats in an abusive manner or, in any case, without carrying out the communications to the Revenue Agency are foreseen.
DRUGS – In the sector of combating the production and dealing of narcotic substances, thanks to the experience gained by the specialized crews of the Air Section of the Guardia di Finanza of Elmas, numerous plantations were identified, then seized by the territorial departments of the Corps, for a total of 7.5 tons of marijuana and 6.8 tons of hemp plants and the simultaneous reporting to the Judicial Authority of 10 individuals presumably responsible for the illicit activity.
IRREGULAR MIGRANTS – This year too, the Guardia di Finanza has been busy fighting the phenomenon of irregular immigration coming from Algeria and Tunisia and headed towards the southern coasts of Sardinia. In this operational context, although a decline in the flow was recorded, the police activity conducted by the soldiers of the Aeronaval Operations Department allowed the arrest of 3 Tunisian smugglers, accused of having illicitly transported 15 compatriots to Italy on board a fishing vessel , then subjected to seizure. This method is absolutely new for the Sardinian island, generally affected by the arrival of irregular migrants on small makeshift and worthless boats, destined to be abandoned once they reach their destination. In this case however, from the investigations carried out by the specialized soldiers of the Guardia di Finanza, the three traffickers would have been intending to return to Tunisia after having disembarked their compatriots from the fishing boat.
MONITORING AND CONTROL - During 2023, moreover, there was a constant use of naval and air personnel and vehicles on the occasion of cultural, sporting and social events, as well as in local and national events, for reasons of public order and safety at sea, among which stands out the important contribution provided by the Corps during the celebrations of the Armed Forces Day on 4 November, held in the splendid scenery of the port of Cagliari, in the presence of the President of the Republic and the highest officials of the State" .
«The constant presence at sea, along the coasts of the island, continues to ward off and prevent illicit behaviour, to protect the immeasurable cultural and environmental heritage of Sardinia, preserving its delicate marine ecosystem, characterized by coastal landscapes of rare beauty which require an incessant, careful and silent work of supervision and control", concludes the note from the Fiamme Gialle.
(Unioneonline/lf)