Gragnano. There are a total of 23 suspects from the group of pushers linked to the ras of Piazza Nassiriya in Gragnano who ended up in the investigation of the Dda of Naples and which yesterday led to the issuing of 5 precautionary orders executed by the Carabinieri.
Article Key Points
One hit the 47-year-old boss Rossano Apicella in prison, then his wife Rosaria Vitiello and their 21-year-old son Dario, and with them also ended up in prison the 26-year-old Vincenzo Donnarumma and Salvatore Pio Pennino, the 24-year-old involved in the murder of Nicholas Di Martino, the 17-year-old stabbed to death in May 2020.
The criminal organization used minors to sell drugs and ran a real drug market in the heart of Gragnano. This is what emerged from the investigation during which hundreds of drug dealing and home deliveries were monitored.
Apicella gave orders and directives to his family even from prison using a cell phone. His home in Via Volte had become the hub of illicit activities, with pushers, including minors, receiving direct orders and selling drugs to customers.
The “balcony throw” and the Nassiriya square
The operational method was well-tested: dealing often took place by “throwing from the balcony” or in the small square dedicated to the fallen of Nassiriya, transformed into a real open-air market. The Carabinieri documented a well-organized system, with drug depots scattered throughout the city, also managed by apparently unsuspecting people.
Minors in the service of drug dealing
Particularly alarming is the use of minors as drug-dealing "soldiers". Young people, often subjected to pressure and threats, were used to sell drugs on the street, putting their lives and their futures at risk.
Connections to the murder of Nicholas Di Martino:
Among those arrested is also Salvatore Pio Pennino, a 24-year-old involved in the murder of Nicholas Di Martino, the 17-year-old stabbed to death in May 2020. A crime that had shaken the community of Gragnano and which now fits into a broader context of clashes between rival clans.
Seizures and investigations
During the operations, the Carabinieri seized five kilograms of marijuana, hidden in a warehouse, and discovered a sophisticated video surveillance system that protected Apicella's home. The investigations, coordinated by the Naples DDA, allowed them to reconstruct years of criminal activity, thanks also to the interception of telephone and environmental conversations.
Article published on 3 December 2024 - 07:32
The article talks about a very serious investigation and shows how drugs spread among young people. Even if there are arrests, I wonder if this is enough to stop the problem. The minors involved worry me a lot.