At dawn, in the provinces of Rome and Naples, the Carabinieri of the Rome Cassia Company, on a mandate from the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office, executed an order issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Rome Court at the request of the same Prosecutor's Office.
The operation, conducted with the support of the territorial commands, the Dog Unit of Rome Santa Maria di Galeria and the Carabinieri Helicopter Unit of Rome Urbe, led to the arrest of 11 people: 2 in pre-trial detention in prison and 9 under house arrest with an electronic bracelet.
The defendants are accused, to varying degrees, of criminal association aimed at crimes such as money laundering, receiving stolen goods, aiding and abetting illegal immigration, extortion, and drug trafficking.
The investigation, launched by the Carabinieri of the Operations Section of the Rome Cassia Company between June 2020 and August 2021, allowed them to collect serious evidence thanks to the analysis of seized phones, testimonies, wiretaps, shadowing and analysis of bank accounts.
Evidence has emerged of a criminal group dedicated to computer fraud through phishing, with the creation of fake banking institution web pages. The scams have yielded approximately 100 thousand euros stolen from unsuspecting citizens.
The investigations also revealed the involvement of those arrested in the receiving of stolen goods, including historical books from the 18th and 19th centuries, stolen from private collections in the province of Novara and from a library in the Naples area.
It was also possible to reconstruct the channels of transfer of the illicit proceeds, hidden through current accounts and prepaid cards registered in the name of front men or a Roman company.
The gang also supported illegal immigration
Part of the investigation concerned the logistical support offered to non-EU citizens (Afghans, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Indians) to facilitate their stay and travel within the European Union.
In addition, evidence was gathered regarding drug trafficking by some members of the group, who used threats and violence, including kidnapping, to collect overdue payments.
During the investigation, 7 people were arrested in flagrante delicto for possession of false documents and drugs, and another 6 were arrested for aiding illegal immigration to Croatia and Slovenia thanks to the collaboration with the local police forces.
Chronicles of Campania
Naples: Police raid Piazza Garibaldi: 4 arrests and 34 illegal immigrants identified.
An extraordinary operation with approximately 200 State Police officers working in Piazza Garibaldi, the Vasto district, and surrounding areas.
