A large-scale operation, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol, has dealt a severe blow to an international drug trafficking and money laundering cartel. The criminal network, which linked the interests of the Camorra—specifically the Ascione-Papale clan from Ercolano—and the 'Ndrangheta (the Morabito clan from Africo), was dismantled on February 23 with the arrest of seven people, four in France and three in Italy.
Investigations uncovered a multi-million dollar business linked to cocaine trafficking from South America, the proceeds of which were laundered through sophisticated financial operations.
The money trail and the seizure in Belgium
The two-year investigation, conducted by the Marseille prosecutor's office, began following reports from Swiss authorities of suspected money laundering operations. Investigators, following the flow of dirty money, were able to reconstruct the complex architecture of the system: shell companies, false invoices, and the purchase of luxury properties and vehicles on the French Riviera were used to conceal drug proceeds.
A key piece of the investigation was a large seizure of cocaine made by Belgian customs at the end of 2025. This episode made it possible to directly link the drug trafficking to the alleged top of the criminal organization.
Arrests in Cannes and Portici: The Role of Zeljko Martinovic and the Papale Family
The criminal network used luxury cars to transport cocaine within Europe, once it reached the continent's main ports. The key figure in the system was Montenegrin broker Zeljko Martinovic, wanted throughout Europe. He was located in Cannes, France, where he was arrested by the Gendarmerie in collaboration with the Carabinieri, along with several family members.
Among them was his son-in-law Mario Papale, a member of the eponymous Ercolano clan. The arrests also extended to the Swiss border, where Giuseppe Papale (Mario's son) was arrested, and to Italy: in Portici (Naples), the Carabinieri of the Torre Annunziata Investigative Unit arrested Giacomo Sannino.
Million-dollar seizures: real estate, cryptocurrencies, and luxury cars
The operation also dealt a significant blow to the organization's assets. Luxury properties worth more than €5 million were seized in France, as well as several high-end vehicles. The seizures in France also included €600.000 in cryptocurrencies and €26.000 in cash.
Additional assets and businesses were seized in Italy and Switzerland. The massive joint operation involved, in addition to Italian and French law enforcement agencies, the Office of the Attorney General of the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Office of Police, and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
It was a very large and complex operation, clearly planned for a long time. The authorities worked together, but some steps remained unclear. The money was hidden in shell companies and properties purchased with dirty money. It's unclear why some names remain elusive. We hoped justice would proceed swiftly.