Torre Annunziata – The well-known TikToker “Papusciello”, registered as Antonio Gemignani because he had hosted the well-known drug trafficking broker Giuseppe Panariello for a long time, had a camera pointed at his home in via Traversa Cuparella.
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The Torre Annunziata Carabinieri, coordinated by the Oplontina prosecutor's office, who conducted the investigations that began in 2021 and which the other day led to the issuing of 51 precautionary orders signed by the investigating judge Luisa Crasta, also carried out telephone interception activities.
Cryptic language, ambiguous phone calls and suspicious comings and goings around a house in Papusciello. This is how investigators uncovered an alleged cocaine trafficking ring that allegedly involved Nino Gemignani, nephew of Papusciello together with Giuseppe Panariello.
The investigation, launched on the basis of wiretaps and environmental interceptions, revealed a presumed well-organized drug dealing network. A crucial element was a conversation intercepted in which Antonio Gemignani, speaking to a buyer, refers to “salt” – presumably money – and subsequently to “170 grams of Trenta cheese”, a phrase that, according to investigators, alludes to cocaine. Coded language, typical of the drug dealing environment, which, together with other elements, consolidated the seriousness of the evidence.
For Papusciello, the Torre Annunziata Prosecutor's Office had requested prison but the investigating judge, as can be seen from the over 350 pages of the precautionary order, signed an obligation to report to the Carabinieri on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 15:00 PM and 17:00 PM.
However, Papusciello has been on holiday in Spain for days with his campaign and after having spread some sarcastic videos on Tik Tok he proceeded to delete them, probably at the suggestion of his lawyer.
Investigations and the role of the suspects
The investigation began with the monitoring of Antonio Gemignani, known as Papusciello, and some of his family members, including Nino Gemignani and his wife Anna Palumbo. The Carabinieri installed cameras near the I traversa Cuparella, observing a constant coming and going of people, with rapid entrances and exits from the building. An activity typical of drug dealing environments.
In addition to wiretapping, listening devices were installed inside two cars used by the suspects: a Renault Captur and a Renault Clio. The audio collected allowed us to outline the roles in the alleged drug trafficking:
Nino Gemignani was said to be the head of the organization, supported by his brother-in-law Giuseppe Panariello, considered his partner in the management of the illicit activity.
Panariello would have been in charge of the drug supply and the drug dealing accounting. Umberto Intagliatore, another brother-in-law of Gemignani, would have instead covered the role of courier for deliveries.
During the interrogation, Antonio Gemignani denied all charges, claiming that he was unaware of the illegal activities and that he did not remember the meaning of some expressions used in the intercepted conversations.
The investigation, meanwhile, continues to ascertain any further responsibilities and connections with other drug dealing networks active in the territory. While social media are full of sarcastic videos on the "alleged fugitive" of Papusciello, who by law is only untraceable because he must be notified of the act of obligation to report to the carabinieri.
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Article published on March 8, 2025 - 08pm
This article talks about Papusciello and his legal case. It is interesting to see how the investigations have progressed. But there are many points that are not clear, such as the role of the family members in this story.
Papusciello’s situation is truly complex and makes one wonder how illicit activities can infiltrate people’s daily lives. It is interesting to note that the investigation was conducted with such detailed methods, but there are still many questions to be clarified.