Salerno. Controlling drug dealing in eastern Salerno and the Bellizzi prison: these were the objectives of the new criminal group formed by Giuseppe Stellato, known as "Pappachione," according to investigations by the Salerno Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA), which culminated today with the execution of 38 precautionary measures against as many suspects for crimes ranging from extortion to drug dealing, misappropriation of public funds, receiving stolen goods, money laundering, and fraud.
The investigations carried out by the Carabinieri Investigative Unit of Salerno were started in April 2019, with the coordination of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate, and were particularly complex because it was necessary to reconstruct the real owners of telephone cards fictitiously registered and used to carry out illicit trafficking. According to what was reconstructed, Stellato was at the top of the organization that aimed to acquire control of the drug dealing activity in the eastern area of Salerno.
“Pappacchione”, released from prison in May 2020, was arrested red-handed on 25 July 2020 by the Carabinieri of Salerno for violating the preventive measure of special surveillance. In the meantime, he allegedly extorted part of the proceeds of drug dealing activities received from pushers present in the eastern area of Salerno and in some streets of the city center, as well as money from a shopkeeper.
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On one occasion, in July 2020, he allegedly committed a “stesa” by firing 13 gunshots in the street for demonstration purposes, damaging some buildings, while he was aboard his car with two other suspects. Also in July 2020, together with 7 other suspects, he allegedly shot a pusher in the leg with two gunshots, causing him injuries deemed curable in 30 days, in order to impose his territorial supremacy.
Investigators have also identified drug dealing activity inside the Bellizzi Irpino prison (Avellino) by two inmates who allegedly managed to obtain the drugs through some family members and their trusted lawyer, also among those arrested in execution of today's order, who allegedly delivered the drugs several times during interviews.
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