It's night when the Carabinieri of the San Giorgio a Cremano station begin a targeted patrol of the area between San Giorgio and Portici, with the aim of combating drug dealing.
The military's attention is focused on Corso Garibaldi, where a possible drug dealing hub has long been reported, hidden at the end of an alleyway that leads to a series of doorways and garages.
The Carabinieri stationed themselves a short distance away. After a few minutes, they saw a young man emerge from the street: he looked around suspiciously, checked he wasn't being watched, and quickly walked away. This was the signal that prompted the officers to approach.
The raid on the premises with the cameras
The Carabinieri crossed the street and entered the alley. At the end, they found an iron door covered by a canopy, with the light on inside. Surveillance cameras were also installed outside, monitoring the entrance and perimeter.
Shortly afterward, a man comes out. The door is about to close, but the marshal manages to block it with his foot. At that point, the raid begins.
The scene that presents itself to the soldiers resembles that of a normal office: a desk, two men and a switched-on screen.
The 17-year-old "responsible" behind the desk
Behind the desk sits a 17-year-old with no criminal record, as if he were the manager of an agency. On the table, however, are no documents, just drugs ready to be sold.
Next to him is another man, intently watching a television screen, which is showing images from the external cameras used to monitor any suspicious arrivals.
The room is meticulously organized. On the desk are precision scales, teaspoons, cellophane wrappers, and packaging materials, while shelves line the walls with vacuum-packed drug supplies and still-sealed instruments.
The fight and the accomplice's escape
At the sight of the soldiers, the minor reacts violently and attempts to attack them. His accomplice also joins the fight, but manages to break free and escape.
The 17-year-old was instead stopped and searched: in his vest pocket the Carabinieri found 200 euros in cash, believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing.
Drugs, cash, and a library card used to cut cocaine
Inside the establishment, the police seized a veritable cache of narcotics. In a small safe used as a cash register, they found 380 euros, likely intended for safekeeping or to give change to customers.
On the table were 35 grams of cocaine and hashish, already divided into doses. Next to the packaging material, a card used to divide the cocaine was also found: paradoxically, it was a loyalty card for a well-known bookstore chain.
On the side shelves, the Carabinieri also discovered other vacuum-packed packages of drugs, for a total of 212 grams.
All the equipment used to monitor the area was also seized: cameras, a television, a DVD player, and two cell phones.
The minor was arrested, the hunt for his accomplice is on.
The 17-year-old was arrested for possession of drugs with intent to sell and transferred to the Colli Aminei reception center.
Meanwhile, the Carabinieri have begun searching for the accomplice who managed to escape during the raid.
It seems like a complex story; the Carabinieri operated at night, but not everything seems clear; the boy sitting at the desk seems more confused than guilty. There's a lot of video surveillance and marketing, but what's missing is serious social support and preventative measures, not just punishments and arrests.
It seems like a well-documented but somewhat strange situation. The Carabinieri carried out the raid, but it's unclear how a 17-year-old stood there as if he were responsible only for the cameras and the library card. Why do things like this happen? We need more prevention and monitoring in the neighborhoods, and above all, explanations to family members and the community, not just punishment.