It was late morning when Carabinieri officers from the Castellammare di Stabia Company arrived at the home of Pasquale Manzo, 57, a resident of Lettere and already known to law enforcement. He was arrested after a check that turned into a surprise search of his residence.
Once inside, the soldiers found the material that would establish the operation as one of the most unusual cases in recent months in the Monti Lattari Park area, between Naples and Sorrento.
32 kilos of marijuana ready for sale
In Manzo's home, the Carabinieri discovered 32 kilos of marijuana, already divided into doses and ready for sale. The substance was properly packaged, indicating an organized local drug dealing ring.
The massive quantity of drugs immediately led the investigation to the hypothesis of larger-scale trafficking, with possible links to other individuals or cells of the Bunda drug dealers already active in the area.
Ammunition and weapons of war at home
Alongside the drugs, however, the police found a veritable domestic "arsenal." Among the seized items were 40 bullets of various calibers, found hidden in an old sock, and three Kalashnikov magazines.
Furthermore, inside the same house, two balaclavas made from woolen hats were found, items that may have been used to cover the face during drug dealing or other crimes.
The Nobel Prize at home: Ballistite in the report
A curious, yet alarming, detail is reported in the seizure report: approximately one kilogram of ballistite, the gunpowder patented by Swedish chemist Alfred Bernhard Nobel. The presence of this explosive material—strictly regulated and used for military purposes—amplifies the dangerousness of the suspect and the environments in which he may be moving.
Ballistite, like ammunition and magazines, is the responsibility of the military engineers and the Ministry of Defense; its unauthorized possession is severely punishable by the penal code.
The man was arrested for receiving stolen goods and illegal possession of ammunition and parts of war weapons. After the usual formalities, he was taken to Poggioreale prison, where he will await the preliminary hearing.
The seizure carried out by the Carabinieri of Castellammare di Stabia is not only a blow to local petty trafficking, but also an operation to prevent potential violent drug use, made more serious by the presence of war material and gunpowder in an inhabited building.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (3)
That's true, but let's not forget that controls are often insufficient and more resources are needed from the competent authorities to address this situation effectively.
I agree with you, but the problem is much bigger and more complex than it seems. Controls aren't enough; we need a different approach to combat drug trafficking and violence.
It's incredible how people can have so many drugs and guns in their homes. I don't understand how no one noticed before. There should be more surveillance in the area to prevent these situations.