Santa Maria Capua Vetere – A tip-off? No, just the professionalism and clinical eye of the officers. The Penitentiary Police at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison have made another significant breakthrough in internal drug trafficking, intercepting nearly half a kilo of hashish cleverly concealed in a package intended for an inmate.
The operation, which took place yesterday morning, December 4, 2025, prevented a large quantity of narcotics from flooding the prison system, with obvious repercussions on security and internal order.
The vacuum trick
The incident occurred during regular visitation hours. The wife of an inmate, arriving for a visit, attempted to deliver a package containing, among other items, nine vacuum-packed packages of raw meat.
It was precisely that detail—an anomaly in the packaging or a detail that aroused the suspicion of the "Ruota Pacchi" security personnel—that triggered the most thorough inspection. The concealment skill was remarkable: the narcotic substance, which turned out to be hashish weighing almost 500 grams, had been meticulously placed inside the meat, which was then vacuum-sealed again. Only the officers' profound experience and intuition allowed them to uncover the illicit cargo, which was immediately seized.
The unions applaud: "We are the bulwark."
The operation received the unconditional praise of the union representatives, who did not fail to underline the value of the Corps in a context of growing difficulties.
Si.NAPPe expressed deep gratitude to the two Chief Superintendents responsible for the department and to their colleagues in the Interviews sector, together with the responsible Penitentiary Police officer and the Department Commander for their timely coordination.
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"This event demonstrates, once again, how prison security relies primarily on the professionalism, experience, and operational acumen of the men and women of the Penitentiary Police," said Si.NAPPe Deputy Secretary General Luigi Vargas. He added: "In a context where new and more sophisticated methods of introducing drugs and prohibited objects into prisons are constantly being tested, the Corps continues to represent the most effective bastion of legality."
Pasquale Gallo, National Secretary of Si.NAPPe, added further, emphasizing that the operation took place "despite the chronic staff shortage and daily operational difficulties."
The appeal: recognition and investment
The case concludes with a strong appeal to the prison administration. The unions, represented by director Giuseppe Del Gaudio, demand that incidents like this not go unreported, but translate into concrete recognition for the staff involved, both institutionally and organizationally.
The need is clear: "Investment in training, monitoring technologies, and staffing improvements, because combating drug trafficking into prisons cannot be left solely to the sacrifice and goodwill of individual staff."
Si.NAPPe hopes for a signal that highlights the Penitentiary Police's high sense of duty, especially given the severe staff shortages and the significant challenges they face daily in Italian prisons.
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Comments (1)
It's important to know that prison police perform a difficult and demanding job, but perhaps more should have been done to stop drug trafficking. The operation was well done, but greater support for law enforcement is needed.