Naples – Rivers of hashish and cocaine from Spain to the drug dealing areas of the northern outskirts of Naples. After the Carabinieri blitz last November, the first degree trial is in full swing, with the new leader of the Amato-Pagano clan, the criminal holding company of the Splitters.
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Two days ago, the prosecutor of the DDA, Luigi Visone, asked 31 convictions for a total of over two centuries of prison. Those at risk of heavy sentences are above all the alleged leaders of the organization, for whom the prosecution has requested almost 20 years in prison.
The requests for conviction
Among the best known names:
- Enrico Bocchetti, Emanuele Cicalese, Francesco Fiengo, Salvatore Mari and Domenico Guerra: 18 years (some with 4 additional months).
- Massimo D'Onofrio, Antonio Marrone, Raffaele Marrone and Salvatore Sansone: 16 years.
- Luigi Ascione, Raffaele Maisto, Vincenzo Mangiapili, Carlo Troncone and Arturo Vastarelli: 14 years.
The sentences for the other defendants range between 6 and 12 years, with some of the gregarious risking lighter sentences, around 6 8-years.
The investigation and the background
The trial, held with the shortened procedure, will resume at the beginning of the summer with the defense speeches. The investigation by the Carabinieri had led, in November, to 33 arrests, with charges ranging fromcriminal association aimed at drug trafficking clan favoritism, still active between Scampia, Melito, Mugnano and with a logistics base at Gricignano d'Aversa.
International traffic
The operation revealed the existence of two organizations dedicated to drug trafficking, not directly connected but with the same supply channel: the Spain, managed by the group of Simone Bartiromo.
The investigation also brought to light a centralized legal assistance system for those arrested and a recycling tour with Chinese accomplices, who held a 2,4% commission on the amounts moved.
Now the ball is in the Court's court's court: in June we will know whether the prosecutor's requests will become a sentence.
(In the photo from left Simone Bartimoro, Salvatore Mari, Arturo Vastarelli, Antonio Marrone, Massimo D'Onofrio and Nicola Di Casola)
Article published on 7 April 2025 - 07:40
It is interesting to see how justice is working on this case, but I wonder if the sentences requested are really proportional to the crimes committed. It is not easy to judge without knowing all the details of the investigation.