Naples – A flurry of sentence reductions marked the second degree trial of the criminal holding company headed by Salvatore Romano, alias "Totore Marlboro," who had transformed the northern suburbs of Naples into a highway for cocaine trafficking.
The sentence issued by the fifth section of the Court of Appeal of Naples, presided over by Judge Montefusco, re-determined the sentences handed down in the first instance in July 2024 in the abbreviated trial, largely accepting the defense's requests and recognizing mitigating circumstances.
A hard blow for the prosecution, which had asked for much more severe sentences, including an 18-year sentence for Giuseppina Esposito, Romano's wife, who had already been cleared in the first instance of the charge of criminal association.
The sentences: from 9 and a half years to 2 years and 10 months
The Court redefined the punitive framework for members of the criminal organization, which operated as an efficient drug dealing network, nicknamed by its own members "drug riders."
Salvatore Romano, alias “Marlboro Bull”, the undisputed head of the holding company, defended by lawyers Leopoldo Perone and Luca Mottola: 9 years and 6 months in prison. A significantly reduced sentence compared to the first-degree conviction, thanks to the recognition of mitigating circumstances.
Daniele Romano, son of Salvatore, defended by Perone and Domenico Dello Iacono: 9 years and 6 months, in line with his father's sentence, with whom he shared a leading role in the organization.
Antonio Russo, defended by attorney Mottola: 6 years and 5 months, to be continued with another sentence. His sentence has been reduced compared to the prosecution's initial requests.
Cristofaro Alfano, defended by lawyer Carlo Bianco: 6 years and 3 months, again in continuation with another sentence, benefiting from a reduction compared to the first instance.
Giuseppina Esposito, wife of Salvatore Romano, defended by Mottola and Perone: 2 years and 10 months. The woman, already acquitted in the first instance of conspiracy charges, had her exclusion from the more serious crime upheld, despite the prosecutor having requested an 18-year sentence on appeal.
A cocaine “delivery” organization
The investigation, conducted through wiretaps and tailing, uncovered a criminal organization structured like a full-fledged delivery service, with its operations base in San Pietro a Patierno. "When it comes to cocaine, there's nothing left for anyone," the group members boasted, unaware of the police's wiretaps.
The network run by the Romanos flooded the northern suburbs of Naples with cocaine—from Secondigliano to San Carlo all'Arena, Vasto, Arenaccia, Poggioreale, all the way to Casoria and Casavatore—thanks to a tried and tested system: a switchboard received orders, while the "riders" delivered the drugs directly to homes, exclusively high-quality cocaine.
The battle in the courtroom
The first-instance trial, conducted under a fast-track procedure, resulted in overall sentences totaling over half a century of prison time. However, on appeal, the defense obtained a significant reduction in sentences, leveraging the recognition of mitigating circumstances and successfully challenging certain aggravating circumstances.
Giuseppina Esposito's position is particularly significant: the prosecutor had appealed the first-degree acquittal on the conspiracy charge, requesting an exemplary sentence, but the judges upheld the defense's position, limiting the sentence to minor crimes.
(pictured from left Salvatore Romano, Giuseppina Esposito, Daniele Romano, Cristoforo Alano and Antonio Russo)
In short
Naples – A flurry of sentence reductions marked the second-instance trial of the criminal holding company headed by Salvatore Romano, aka "Totore Marlboro," who had transformed the suburbs…
- The ruling issued by the Fifth Section of the Court of Appeal of Naples, presided over by Judge Montefusco, re-established the sentences imposed…
- A severe blow for the prosecution, which had asked for much harsher sentences, including an 18-year sentence for Giuseppina…
- Salvatore Romano, aka "Totore Marlboro," the holding company's undisputed boss, defended by lawyers Leopoldo Perone and Luca Mottola: 9 years and...
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
Naples – A flurry of sentence reductions marked the second-instance trial of the criminal holding company headed by Salvatore Romano, aka "Totore Marlboro," who…
Why is this news relevant?
The ruling issued by the Fifth Section of the Court of Appeal of Naples, presided over by Judge Montefusco, re-established the sentences imposed…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
A severe blow for the prosecution, which had asked for much harsher sentences, including an 18-year sentence for Giuseppina Esposito, Romano's wife,…
It's strange how justice sometimes seems to favor those who commit serious crimes by reducing their sentences. Reducing sentences doesn't seem fair, especially considering the severity of drug trafficking in these areas.