Fight against gender violence, with “mobile angels” and dedicated “rooms”: 385 arrests (1 per day) and 1529 violent offenders reported (4 every 24 hours) in one year
Article Key Points
Almost 3 tons of drugs seized and just under 12 thousand doses recovered
Focus on organized crime: 270 anti-Camorra operations, 73 anti-mafia interdictions and 16 fugitives in handcuffs.
12 months of presence on the territory, between prevention and repression. The example of Caivano: since the inauguration of the new Carabinieri Company 414 arrests, 397 reported
The ritual end-of-year balance sheet gives back the image of a frenetic and intense activity, fruit of the choral effort of all the Carabinieri of the Neapolitan province. A constant commitment that the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri partenopei wants to translate into numbers to offer a concrete and statistical dimension on the preventive and repressive activities carried out on the territory.
The crucial aspects analyzed will range from gender violence (sadly current) to the spread of weapons and drugs. The numbers obtained in the fight against organized crime and in the search for fugitives will be reported.
A summary of the criminal phenomenology marked 2023 but also an overview of the security guaranteed daily to citizens. 12 months of work serving the community with important results.
Here's a quick roundup of data: 3850 arrests, 12.101 people reported at large. For statistics lovers, 10 people arrested per day, 33 reported every 24 hours.
407.418 people checked, 227284 vehicles searched.
Almost 3 tons of drugs stolen from the market: 2888 kilos of substances of all kinds. 11466 doses, 3557 cannabis plants uprooted from the ground.
147 firearms were seized, 163 cutting weapons. 67 improper weapons were added to the count. An example is the nunchaku used by a man to try to strangle his partner.
The data on gender violence is always alarming. Over the last 365 days the Carabinieri of Napoli and the province arrested a total of 385 people (277 for mistreatment in the family, 108 for stalking. 1529 people were reported: 846 for mistreatment, 683 for stalking).
All things considered, 1 arrest and more than 4 reports per day (!).
73 anti-mafia interdictions issued by the Prefecture on the initiative and investigations of the military of the Province of Naples. A fundamental tool to combat and prevent the infiltration of organized crime in the economy and in the management of public administration.
And it is precisely against the most structured crime that the Neapolitan Carabinieri have obtained the most significant results. 270 operations against the Camorra, for a total of 908 people within the various clans of the territory who ended up in handcuffs.
16 fugitives captured, several tracked down abroad after complex investigations.
The list of data also includes the successes of the Caivano company, which has been operating for about a year and a half: 271 arrests in the last year, 276 reports at liberty (414 arrests, 397 reports since its inauguration)
1. Fight against organized crime
Dismantling criminal networks, protecting the healthy part of society. This is the mantra that guides the hundreds of service operations carried out this year. The same as in previous years.
270 investigations by the Carabinieri against organised crime, all culminating in as many raids.
Over 900 members of local clans ended up in handcuffs, in every part of the province.
An important signal for those who are subjected to daily pressure from the Camorra.
The synergy and coordination of the prosecutors' offices and courts of the territory (Naples, Nola, Torre Annunziata and Naples North) and of the Neapolitan District Anti-Mafia Directorate are fundamental.
Among the most important operations is the one that last October 17th led to the execution of a measure against 27 suspects.
All seriously accused, to varying degrees, of the crimes of mafia association, external complicity in mafia association, aggravated extortion, aggravated private violence, criminal association aimed at auction-rigging aggravated facilitated, criminal association aggravated by having facilitated a mafia clan and by the transnational nature aimed at the smuggling of foreign manufactured tobacco.
The investigation, conducted with the Special Operations Group (ROS), allowed us to reconstruct the operations of the Di Lauro clan and included among those under investigation a well-known neomelodic singer and his wife.
Also relevant is the measure carried out in Brusciano. 41 people were reached by a precautionary custody order because they were seriously suspected of criminal association aimed at drug trafficking. Under the investigators' lens was a complex of public housing blocks where the residents were deprived of the keys to the entrance doors. No one could open or enter without authorization.
The operation of numerous drug dealing centers has been documented – among the most flourishing in the Neapolitan hinterland – organized in rigid and precise shifts: pushers who were late for the shift were “fired”.
And on December 8th, the arrest was carried out against a man considered to be seriously suspected of the murder of Antonio Morione, which occurred on December 23rd two years ago in front of his fish shop in Boscoreale.
On November 7, over 30 precautionary measures were carried out against people believed to belong to the Abbinante clan of Scampia. According to what was reconstructed by the Carabinieri, under the coordination of the DDA, the shopkeepers of the neighborhood were forced to buy from entrepreneurs chosen by the gang and these were obliged to pay for the privilege of exclusivity. Everything had to be examined by the clan, in a neighborhood defined by the gang members as "our home".
A severe blow was dealt to the “Sorianiello” clan in September. 29 people ended up in handcuffs following a precautionary measure carried out in the “99” of Soccavo, a neighborhood on the western outskirts of Naples.
This summer, on July 10, 18 people were arrested because they were suspected of belonging to the Cesarano clan of Castellammare di Stabia. The military documented extortions carried out against shopkeepers in the Stabia area. Among the victims was a family member of the justice collaborator Raffaele Imperiale.
24 people were arrested last February in the San Giovanni a Teduccio neighborhood of Naples. According to the Carabinieri and DDA, they belonged to the Mazzarella and D'Amico clans. During the investigations, the Arma investigators documented the growing interest of the Mazzarella Clan in the hydrocarbon trade and distribution sector, as demonstrated by the extortion demands made against an entrepreneur in the sector, as well as the acquisition by an affiliate of a fuel distribution business in the Fuorigrotta area, near the Maradona stadium.
2. Fugitives
15 fugitives captured in 12 months. A significant result that is the result of an ever fervent investigative activity. A strong message to criminal organizations and potential fugitives. Escape – the numbers show – is not a lasting solution.
The last to end up in the clutches of justice was Gabriele Pesacane, leader of the clan that takes his name. He was captured in a villa in the province of Salerno.
A few days ago, Gaetano Angrisano, a 31-year-old included in the list of dangerous fugitives of the Ministry of the Interior, was also arrested. He was tracked down and arrested after a year and a half on the run. He was celebrating a birthday in a house in lot G of Scampia, a historic stronghold of the Vanella Grassi clan of which he is a leading figure.
On October 14th, the handcuffs tightened on the wrists of Andrea Aloia, a 24-year-old from Acerra considered a leading member of the Avventurato clan. He was captured in a restaurant in Somma Vesuviana, during a quick visit to his newborn son.
Luigi Carandente Tartaglia, a leading figure in the Orlando-Polverino-Nuvoletta clan, is serving a 14-year prison sentence. The Carabinieri knew about the wanted man's heart problems and had been monitoring the national health system's computer archives for some time. The alert was issued in mid-August.
They found him while he was lying on a hospital bed in Pineta Grande, in the municipality of Castelvolturno.
Betrayed by a little dog Luigi Cacciapuoti, 64 years old and considered the head of the clan that bears his name, operating in the municipality of Villaricca.
He was captured on August 25th. He was still lying at the edge of the swimming pool of a villa in the coastal hamlet of Giugliano in Campania, in the Varcaturo area.
faithful poodle friend of a woman who met Cacciapuoti. was leaning out of a half-closed window of the villa.
An animal like many others that, however, aroused in investigators the suspicion that that chalet was in fact the fugitive's refuge.
The raid was planned and the exits blocked, Cacciapuoti was arrested and taken to prison. The woman who was found with him was also in trouble.
Vincenzo La Porta, a 11-year-old member of the Contini clan who had started a new life on the Greek island of Corfu, had been on the run for 60 years.
His passion for football and for Napoli betrayed him. With the victory of the championship, La Porta could not help but celebrate. The carabinieri recognized him in a photo taken at the front of a restaurant. He was wearing a baseball cap, with a blue scarf in his hands. After a long series of checks and tailings, carried out with the precious collaboration of the Greek police forces, the carabinieri stopped him in the street, while he was riding his scooter.
He will serve more than 14 years in prison.
3. Infiltration of organized crime. Anti-mafia interdictions
Anti-mafia interdictions act as a preventive barrier against the infiltration of criminal organizations in sensitive sectors of the economy and public administration. They prevent the malevolent influences of clans in the management of companies, their involvement in contracts and slow the permeability of public affairs.
Thanks to the collaboration with the prefectural bodies of the province, the Carabinieri have given impetus to 73 proposals of interdiction for mafia infiltration.
The case of Caivano is emblematic. The Carabinieri, in this case coordinated by the Neapolitan DDA, have reconstructed the “forced” insertion of the Camorra into the administrative policy of the municipality.
According to investigators, the Angelino clan was able to obtain from public administrators confidential information regarding the awarding of contracts in order to be able to direct extortion requests.
On more than one occasion, public employees would have acted as intermediaries between entrepreneurs and Camorristi in requesting payment of extortion, or in withdrawing the money. The entrepreneurs themselves, if on the one hand they were victims of the extortion request, on the other hand they managed to obtain the positions through corrupt payments to compliant municipal administrators and managers.
18 people were arrested on November 1st.
On the interdiction plan, 4 companies in Villaricca were hit last February. The military demonstrated the connection of the companies - 3 fuel distributors and a bar - to the Ferrara-Cacciapuoti Camorra clan. A symptom of the growing interest of organized crime in the fuel-lubricants sector.
4. Gender-based violence
The Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Naples renews its unwavering commitment in the fight against gender violence, a phenomenon that continues to represent a priority and current challenge.
To ensure maximum performance, synergy with local institutions, social workers and organizations dedicated to the protection of victims is essential. Equally important is awareness of the phenomenon, promoted by the military with daily campaigns, and training of personnel. An indispensable step to maintain high standards of skills.
To support the listening and investigative activities, the use of 4 "rooms all for oneself" (Naples Capodimonte, Naples Stella, Ercolano and Caivano)
These are spaces reserved for listening and reporting, furnished with more welcoming and warm furnishings, distinct from those of the offices generally used for collecting reports. In line with the objectives of a protocol signed with the General Command, the Soroptimist Club Naples donated the furnishings and computer materials for the creation of the "Room" offering furniture, lighting and furnishings that recall those of a domestic environment.
This is to foster empathy between victims and security operators, according to a dialogue model already effectively assimilated and tested in the operational practices of the Force.
The use of the “mobile angel” continues, the smart watch equipped with an alarm system directly connected to the Carabinieri Operations Centre which, in case of need, is able to guarantee timely intervention.
Equipped with a real-time localization system, it provides precise geographic coordinates and guides patrols on the territory.
As anticipated, the numerical data on repressive activity is significant, a symptom of a phenomenon that does not slow down but also of a greater awareness of the victims.
In the last year the Carabinieri of Naples and its province have arrested a total of 385 people (277 for mistreatment in the family, 108 for stalking. 1529 people reported: 846 for mistreatment, 683 for stalking).
1 arrest and more than 4 reported per day. Important numbers but also many heartbreaking stories.
The last one is from a few days ago.
It happens in an apartment in the Neapolitan neighborhood of Chiaia. A 42-year-old woman is in a panic. There are obvious signs of violence on her neck. Her 36-year-old partner is also at home. The man has a nunchaku in his hands and tries to hit the victim, threatening to kill her. The carabinieri stand between the two to protect the woman and after a brief struggle the man is stopped.
It later emerged that the oriental weapon had been used to attempt to strangle his partner.
End of November in Gragnano.
A 42-year-old is under house arrest for abuse. On his wrist an electronic bracelet that tracked his movements, to prevent escapes. The man cut the device and reached the safe house where his wife had been hosted after the harassment she had suffered and did everything he could to meet her. The alarm generated by the tampering with the bracelet immediately activated 112 and the Carabinieri of the radiomobile section arrived on the scene before the man could harm his ex-wife.
The Carabinieri arrested a 54-year-old woman with no criminal record of Dominican origins for extortion, damage and mistreatment. It happened in September.
During an argument with her husband she demanded 1500 euros to leave the house. The man refused and the woman savagely beat him. Then she damaged some furniture and set fire to some of her husband's clothes.
The victim alerted 112 and the 54-year-old, still visibly agitated, ended up in handcuffs.
End of June on the island of Ischia.
A woman just received a message on WhatsApp from her best friend. There is no doubt about it, she is in danger. The women, in fact, had agreed: "when you get this message it means she is beating me again". A message with a conventional symbol inside that launched a coded SOS, an emoticon of a hand with the thumb raised.
The alarm also reaches 112. The woman is visibly in shock, she is in tears and has a bruise on her right eye. "Everything is fine" she tells the soldiers, but her daughter's voice contradicts her: "arrest dad, arrest dad because he hits mommy".
The man was filling a bag when the soldiers – in the meantime another Gazelle had also arrived – stopped him and then transferred him to the barracks.
5. Counter Narcotics
The anti-drug dealing activities conducted by the Carabinieri of Naples have produced tangible results, with numerous arrests, significant seizures and the dismantling of criminal networks dedicated to drug trafficking.
And strengthening territorial controls represents a key element in the counter-strategy.
In addition to operational activities, the Carabinieri of Naples invest in community education and awareness. Targeted preventive campaigns provide clear information on the risks associated with drug use and raise awareness of the need to report suspicious activity.
2888 kilos of substances of all kinds stolen from the market: almost 8 kilos per day. 11466 doses, 3557 cannabis plants uprooted.
Various drugs were found: approximately 46 kilos of cocaine, plus 1100 kilos of hashish, 1661 kilos of cannabis, 3 of heroin, 400 grams of opium and 50 kilos of other psychotropic substances.
Among the most significant arrests was that of Frattamaggiore last November 25th
12 kilos of drugs found under the bed of a 22-year-old from Frattamaggiore. The young man was betrayed by the terrible smell of hashish perceived by the Carabinieri.
In Vomero, a 40-year-old local man hid 2 sealed bags containing 1 kg of marijuana each in his house.
2 kilos of weed ready to be packaged and resold.
In Caivano, hidden in a brick wall, 10 kilos of drugs were discovered (6 and a half kilos of hashish, 2 kilos and 300 grams of cocaine and almost a kilo of marijuana). The discovery was made thanks to a thorough search of a farmhouse, also carried out with a metal detector.
Also “pink cocaine” among the seizures. On September 5th the carabinieri found it in a perimeter wall of the Traiano district together with other narcotics.
On May 27, a 34-year-old man with no criminal record was arrested. In his garage in Pompeii, the military found 38 kilos and 800 grams of marijuana.
And again the operation “Continuum Bellum”, developed during the summer along the ridge of the Lattari Mountains. Thanks to the collaboration of the Carabinieri of the helicopter-borne hunters squadron, several thousand cannabis indica plants were found and destroyed.
6. Counteract the spread of weapons
The fight against the spread of weapons, especially among the youngest, is one of the priority objectives of the provincial command of Naples. Working together with schools and parents, an open dialogue with the kids is promoted. To prevent reckless actions and avoid violent behavior in the first place. Whoever holds a weapon - this is repeated in capital letters on the poster created during an awareness campaign of the Naples Arma - is the first victim.
147 firearms were seized, 163 cutting weapons. 67 improper weapons were added to the count. Among these, the nunchaku used by a man to try to strangle his partner.
On the subject, the words of General Enrico Scandone, Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri of Naples:
“The Provincial Carabinieri Command of Naples has increased its services to combat the use and illegal carrying of weapons. Unfortunately, the youngest do not realize that carrying a knife is not only a crime. It is dangerous for others and for themselves. A blade can cause serious injuries or the death of someone. Targeting the youngest, we are implementing an awareness and prevention campaign. Also in schools. We invite everyone, especially young people, to avoid the risk of improper use of a knife. A knife wounds, a knife kills, a knife causes injuries that can be permanent. Life is not a video game.”
7. Caivano. The activity of the new company
On July 1, 2022, the new company of Caivano opened its doors, a garrison of legality that has collected the already frenetic activity of the lieutenancy. After more than a year, the company has become a point of reference for the local community.
Significant repressive activity on the territory: 271 arrests in the last year, 276 reports at liberty (414 arrests, 397 reports since the inauguration).
Not only contrast, also a lot of prevention. Thanks to the well-established collaboration with the local scholastic and ecclesiastical institutions, the carabinieri have entered the daily life of the healthy population of the municipality.
Unforgettable is the story of a 5-year-old boy who wanted to hug the Company Commander after recognizing him as the one who had arrested his father.
The little boy, together with many other peers, was in the church of San Paolo Apostolo where Don Maurizio Patriciello had organized one of the many meetings to promote the culture of legality.
The child recognized the Captain's face among those present, approached him and pulled his jacket. He asked him to bend down and whispered in his ear: "I remember you! You came at night and took Dad away!"
He continued by asking “can I stay with you?” and he wrapped himself around his neck, hugging him tightly.
A story that smacks of revenge, in a complicated and nuanced territory.
A territory on which the spotlight of the entire peninsula has been turned after the sad story of two young girls who were victims of violence. After incessant investigations by the newly formed company, 7 minors and 2 adults ended up in handcuffs.
Article published on 16 December 2023 - 07:34
