Naples – Two thousand euros in counterfeit 20-euro bills hidden under the steering box of a Porsche Macan: this was the discovery made by the Carabinieri on the night of Wednesday, February 4th, in Piazza Municipio, Naples.
The protagonist of the episode is Andrea Piccolo, 24 years old, originally from San Marino, a former professional cyclist active from 2021 to 2024 and former European youth champion, leader of the 2023 Vuelta a España.
The young athlete was arrested for possession of counterfeit banknotes and is currently awaiting trial. A 23-year-old man and his 56-year-old uncle were in the car with him. All three will also be charged with unjustified possession of offensive objects after a telescopic truncheon was found in the luxury vehicle.
His uncle and a 23-year-old man were in the car with him.
The facts stem from a routine check carried out by the Carabinieri. During the inspection, the officers discovered the cleverly concealed counterfeit money. Piccolo is no stranger to legal trouble: last year, in 2024, he was accused of transporting growth hormones to Italy from Colombia, a circumstance that earned him a precautionary suspension from the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
Investigations are continuing to clarify the origin of the counterfeit banknotes and the role of their escorts. The operation once again highlights the Carabinieri's stringent controls in the heart of Naples to prevent the spread of counterfeit currency.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's truly strange that a young athlete like Piccolo could be involved in a situation like this. Counterfeit banknotes are a serious problem, and checks should be more frequent to prevent these situations. Let's hope justice takes its course.