AAfter nearly three years on the run, Simone Bartiromo, believed to be one of the most active brokers in international drug trafficking linked to the Neapolitan Camorra, was captured in Spain by the Carabinieri of the Naples Investigative Unit, with the support of the DCSA and the Spanish police.
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The arrest took place on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, in Orihuela, near Alicante, thanks also to the collaboration of the Udyco – Policia Nacional of Madrid.
The 34-year-old, originally from Naples and listed as a dangerous fugitive by the Ministry of the Interior, has been subject to numerous arrest warrants for crimes related to international drug trafficking. The pre-trial detention order was issued by the investigating judge of the Court of Naples at the request of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate.
Brokers between Spain and Italy for the Sorianiello and Amato-Pagano clans
According to the investigations coordinated by the Naples DDA, Bartiromo allegedly played a leading role in the importation and distribution of cocaine and hashish, with logistics bases in Spain and final destinations in the main drug dealing hubs of Southern Italy.
He acted on behalf of the Camorra clans"Sorianiello” (active in the Traiano district) and “Beloved-Pagan” (the so-called “splitters” of Secondigliano), acting as a contact for drug supplies arriving from Albanian and Spanish criminal organizations.
The shipments handled by Bartiromo were primarily destined for the "99" area in the Traiano district, Scampia, Secondigliano, Melito, and Mugnano di Napoli, but also for the drug dealing hubs of Palermo, Catania, Foggia, and Brindisi. His role is considered strategic in the balance of illicit trafficking between Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, where he had fled to escape the clutches of Italian justice.
An international network, a priority objective
His arrest represents a significant blow to the Camorra's drug trafficking routes and marks a breakthrough in the fight against transnational criminal networks. His capture is the result of a long and complex investigative effort conducted by the Naples DDA and the Carabinieri, who followed his trail all the way to the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
The man, who moved with extreme caution, had managed to evade capture for nearly three years, but was eventually located and handcuffed, closing a crucial chapter in the investigation into drug trafficking between Spain and Southern Italy.
Article published on 17 July 2025 - 12:39
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