Naples – The state's offensive in the beating, yet wounded, heart of the Spanish Quarter continues unabated. Under the pressure of a feud that's once again raging through the alleys, the State Police has launched a new tactical "siege."
The latest operation was carried out by the men of the Investigative Section of the Montecalvario Police Station, who handcuffed a longtime law enforcement acquaintance: 25-year-old Salvatore Spagnuolo.
The control in Lungo Gelso street
The operation began on Friday evening, amid a tense atmosphere that had been gripping the area for weeks. Officers intercepted a Honda SH 300 speeding between Via Lungo Gelso and the corner of Via De Deo. The scooter was being ridden by Spagnuolo and an accomplice, Eduardo Vitagliano, also a face already known to the court records.
The impatience shown by the two during the check only confirmed the police's instincts: the first four 6,35 caliber cartridges appeared in the underseat compartment of Spagnuolo's scooter.
The arsenal in the sofa
The real war "treasure" emerged during a house search of the 25-year-old's home. Carefully hidden in a cavity created inside a sofa, police found a Bruni pistol with the serial number erased, modified with a homemade 6,35 caliber barrel and loaded with five bullets.
Along with the ready-to-fire weapon, a Glock replica without its red cap was also seized. Spagnuolo was sent to prison on charges of carrying and possessing illegal weapons.
Shadows on the feud and "sentinels"
Investigators are also closely scrutinizing Vitagliano's position. The man, already reported for fraud against the elderly and property crimes, was found in possession of two two-way radios. Investigators suspect the devices may have been used to monitor patrols' movements, acting as an "alert system" for the clan.
The operation is part of a long-term countermeasure strategy: after the failed ambush in Piazza Carolina in December and the recent "stese" (ambushes) that terrorized Pallonetto di Santa Lucia and Montecalvario, the pressure on the alleys shows no sign of abating. The war against the ghosts of the underworld continues unabated.
Reading the article, it seems like a very complicated and unclear matter. The streets are narrow and people no longer understand what's going on. The police did an inspection, found weapons, and responded, but there remain lists of doubts about connections and liability. We'll see.