The drugs arrived from Spain at the Volla agro-food center hidden in shipments of vegetables and were then distributed and managed by two autonomous but connected criminal groups who resold them in various cities in Campania, including Rome.
A total of 21 people are under investigation, and 16 of them have been subject to a precautionary measure, signed by investigating judge Valentina Giovanniello, at the request of the Naples DDA: 10 are currently in prison, 5 are under house arrest, one is untraceable and is wanted, while the other 5 are under investigation at large.
Two autonomous criminal groups but with operational links
Investigations conducted by the Naples Flying Squad and the Guardia di Finanza have uncovered two separate criminal organizations engaged in international drug trafficking: one linked to Francesco Di Fiore, the other to Giacomo Visconti.
Although autonomous in structure and operating areas (Di Fiore operated mainly in the Naples metropolitan area, Visconti between Marano, Villaricca and Giugliano), the two organizations were connected in the shared management of drug imports from Spain.
Parallel activities, common contacts
The two organizations shared logistics, costs, and risks, while maintaining operational and planning autonomy. Both demonstrated a high level of organization, frequently switching fictitious phone numbers, using messaging apps that were difficult to intercept, and a complex logistical, financial, and operational structure.
The Di Fiore group: constant traffic and encrypted conversations
Wiretaps and telephone conversations revealed the existence of a well-established structure, in which Di Fiore, along with his trusted associate Vincenzo Russo, managed daily drug movements. The communications were cryptic but unequivocal, with references to quantities, prices, quality of the drugs, and "loads."
Wiretaps and objective evidence
Numerous conversations recorded inside Di Fiore's vehicle confirmed the criminal activity. The conversations contained explicit references to drug quantities, product types, and payment methods, leaving little doubt as to the nature of the transactions.
The links with the Visconti group and the Spanish base
Originally, the Di Fiore group's activities were coordinated with those of Visconti, especially regarding drug imports from Spain . Intercepted communications confirmed the existence of a logistics base in Malaga, used by both organizations, and their joint participation in transport operations.
Collaboration with the Spanish authorities
Thanks to collaboration with the Spanish Central Unit for Drugs and Organized Crime, it was possible to identify the suspects' whereabouts and the involvement of other individuals, such as Astuto Massimo and Sonia Alcaraz Perez, who were also involved in the trafficking.
Split between the groups and new operational structure
Subsequently, Di Fiore and Russo began to distance themselves from the Visconti group, preferring to operate independently. Wiretaps show Russo trying to persuade Astuto to enter into separate businesses, aiming to create a new independent network for narcotics importation, using cover-ups such as the fruit and vegetable trade.
A well-oiled machine, capable of reacting to kidnappings
Even after significant seizures (such as the one on October 19, 2022), the Di Fiore group demonstrated strong operational resilience. Contacts with Alcaraz continued, with the explicit intention of resuming operations as early as January 2023. The organization demonstrated its ability to react quickly, thanks to solid foreign contacts and significant financial resources.
A deep-rooted and operational partnership
Di Fiore's organization not only continued its operations despite obstacles, but also recruited new collaborators. Its operating model, based on agri-food cover shipments, repeatedly allowed the importation of large quantities of drugs.
All the evidence gathered confirms the existence of the criminal organization led by Francesco Di Fiore, with Vincenzo Russo as its operational arm, and the involvement of other accomplices, such as Renato Montefusco and individuals still being identified. It is a stable, organized organization capable of operating internationally, equipped with the personnel, resources, capital, and strategies to carry out large-scale crimes, even in the face of state repressive intervention.
List of 21 suspects
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ALCARAZ PEREZ Sonia , born in Murcia (Spain) on 05.05.1982, resident in Alcantarilla (Murcia).
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ASTUTO Antonio , born in Naples on 21.01.1968, resident in Naples
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ASTUTO Massimo , born in Naples on 16.12.1975, resident in Naples
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BEVILACQUA Giovanni , born in Naples on 29.07.1998, resident in Calvizzano
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BOULKAMH Foued , alias “Aziz”, born in Constantine (Algeria) on 30.01.1973, resident in Naples,
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CIRINO Ciro , born in Naples on 29.12.1989, resident in Villaricca
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D'ANGIÒ Salvatore , born in Naples on 18.09.1975, resident in Naples
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DI FIORE Francesco , born in Naples on 27.02.1959, resident in Naples
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GALLO Sabatino , born in Naples on 31.01.1995, resident in Volla
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IANNICELLI Franco , born in Naples on 03.11.1952, resident in Naples
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MENTION Pasquale , born in Naples on 19.07.1980, resident in Nola
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MONTEFUSCO Renato , born in Naples on 01.08.1967, resident in Volla
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PAGANO Luigi , alias “the short one”, born in Torre del Greco
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PANTEA Ioan Adrian , born in Romania on 03.01.1980, resident in Vinaroz Castellon (Spain).
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PUGLIESE Angelo , born in Mugnano di Napoli (NA) on 06.02.1990, resident in Calvizzano
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PUGLIESE Antonio , born in Mugnano di Napoli
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RUSSO Vincenzo , born in Naples on 02.06.1964, resident in Bacoli.
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SILVESTRO Gennaro , alias “Dsquared”, born in Naples on 28.12.1971, resident in Naples
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SILVESTRO Salvatore , alias “Dsquared”, born in Naples on 14.02.1994, resident in Naples
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SOTO SALES Javier , born in Spain on 26.11.1982, resident in Vinaroz Castellon (Spain)
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VISCONTI Giacomo , alias “Tifoso”, born in Mugnano di Napoli (NA) on 12.07.1986, resident in Marano di Napoli
- (pictured are Salvatore Astuto, Massimo Silvestro, and Renato Montefusco)
Chronicles of Campania
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It's interesting to see how organized crime manages to maintain complex contacts and operational structures. But it's also alarming how they manage to evade the authorities. Let's hope there are more controls and that justice is served.