A widespread criminal organization, with ties to the Italian mafia and an international drug trafficking network that started in South America and reached all of Italy.
Article Key Points
This is the scenario that emerged from the investigations of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) of Brescia, which led to the arrest of 45 Guests and to the registration in the register of suspects of 85 subjects, dismantling two groups active in the trafficking of cocaine, hashish and marijuana.
Two criminal groups and the role of Gussago
The investigations identified two distinct criminal groups. The first, rooted in the province of Brescia, specialized in the direct importation of drugs from producing countries. The cocaine came from Colombia, thanks to the contacts of a woman linked to the Gulf Clan, while the hashish arrived from Morocco, passing through the Spain.
The second group, with its operational base at gussago, operated as a logistics hub for drug distribution in Italy. Its members included individuals linked to 'Ndrangheta families Nirta and Strangio of San Luca, together with members of the Albanian criminality. This association had direct contacts with the main Italian mafia organizations, including Cosa Nostra, Camorra, Stidda and Sacra Corona Unita, who managed the distribution of narcotics in their respective areas of influence.
Drugs and kidnappings
The operations of the State Police, launched in 2022, led to the seizure of large quantities of drugs:
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135kg of cocaine
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90 kg of hashish
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3 kg of marijuana
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2.000kg of cocaine e 1.500 kg of hashish identified in the overall investigations
The drugs were transported by sea and by road, often hidden in unsuspected places such as cars, homes, milk tanks and even in a quarry in the province of Lecce.
The Cocaine Lab in Calabria
In April 2023, a clandestine laboratory for cutting and packaging cocaine in the countryside of Reggio Calabria. Colombian chemical experts operated here, using sophisticated techniques to ensure the purity of the substance. During the raid, investigators seized:
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34kg of cocaine with distinctive brands such as "888", “Cartier” and a paw icon
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11 kg of cutting substance
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Processing equipment, Including a hydraulic press, industrial blenders e precision scales
Those arrested and their links with organised crime
Among those arrested are prominent names in the Brescia and Calabria drug trafficking scene. Dario Bovegno, a 57-year-old from Brescia with a previous drug conviction, managed the operations with his partner Maryis Paola Perez Salcedo, 39-year-old Colombian with direct contacts in South American cartels. She also operated in Gussago Francesco Giorgi, 48 years old, originally from San Luca, considered the point of reference for Italian mafia clans.
In addition to them, several collaborators and couriers ended up in prison, including Gilberto Bolpagni, Skerdi Bocoi, Francesco Licaj and Annibale Torchia. Under house arrest, however, other support figures such as Fabiano Brandani and Roberta Renaldini.
An international traffic with bases throughout Italy
Investigations revealed a capillary distribution system, with direct supplies to the Neapolitan clans Contini, Orlando-Polverino-Cloud, to the Sicilian mafia districts of Holy Mary of Jesus, Porta Nuova and Partinico, and to the Stiddari groups of the province of Caltanissetta.
The operation represents a hard blow to organized crime, but investigations continue to identify any further accomplices and reconstruct the entire drug trafficking network that operated for years with a million-dollar turnover.
Article published on 2 April 2025 - 09:21
The article shows how organized crime is widespread in Italy. It is incredible that there are so many groups involved in drug trafficking. More needs to be done to stop these illegal activities that ruin people's lives.
The drug trafficking situation is very worrying. Investigations show that there are complex and widespread networks. It is essential that the authorities continue to work to dismantle these groups and protect society.