Marano - A technologically advanced greenhouse, meticulously designed, was discovered inside a villa in Marano di Napoli. Giuseppe Simioli, 63, already known to law enforcement, was arrested.
The raid occurred during routine nighttime checks by Carabinieri officers from the Licola station in Giugliano in Campania. Officers noticed a suspicious car and stopped the driver, identified as Simioli. During a search of his person and the vehicle, the man was found in possession of 63 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of cocaine.
The arrest sparked an investigation. The Carabinieri, supported by their colleagues from the Pozzuoli branch, went to the 63-year-old's home, a two-story villa of approximately 200 square meters, located in Marano. It was on the first floor that the officers made their discovery: a veritable cannabis cultivation laboratory.
Three rooms were dedicated to sowing, growing, and drying. Four "grownbox" structures equipped with energy-saving lamps, ventilation systems, fertilizers, and other tools for indoor cultivation were also in operation.
The inspection, which lasted until dawn, led to the seizure of 98 plants of marijuana, approximately 80 centimeters tall, weighing a total of 25 kilograms, along with 350 grams of the same substance already packaged for sale. Another 40 germinating plants were destroyed on site. €2.317 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of the illegal activity, was also seized.
To make matters worse, the discovery of an illegal connection to the electricity grid, used to power the greenhouse, with economic damages still being quantified.
The villa has been seized. Giuseppe Simioli is currently in prison, awaiting trial.
I don't understand how anyone could have a cannabis lab at home. Security needs to be improved to prevent situations like this. There are many risks involved, especially for young people.