Naples, "People ask for it, and I adapt": Hi-tech smuggler reported

Audio Podcasts

Naples People Ask For It And I Adapt Hi Tech Smuggler Reported 2026 08 31

Listen to other Podcasts

Naples – The black market isn't taking a vacation; on the contrary, it's studying consumer trends and updating its offerings. This is happening in Naples, where traditional smuggling practices have officially adapted to the digital age, adding more modern e-cigarette refills to classic vapes.

The discovery was made on Via Sant'Antonio in Capodimonte, a few steps from Porta di Mezzo del Bosco. Here, Carabinieri from the local station caught a 70-year-old man with no criminal record standing in the street acting suspiciously. At his feet, strategically hidden behind a parked scooter, lay a large duffel bag filled with merchandise to be sold.

Inside the bag, the officers found 718 items, including packs of traditional cigarettes and e-cig refills. These latter devices attracted investigators' attention, marking a quantum leap in the dynamics of illegal street vending.

The old man's explanation to the Carabinieri was both shocking and explicit: "Mariscià, people ask me these questions too, and I adapt!" An impeccable summary of the basic rules of supply and demand.

The procurement channels for the goods remain unclear. Among the avenues being explored, it's possible that the electronic products were purchased legally and then resold at a negligible profit margin, approximately 30-40 cents per item. This "home delivery" service was intended for a specific audience: consumers unable to reach tobacconists, including individuals under house arrest.

The operation concluded with the seizure of the entire shipment and a heavy administrative fine against the 70-year-old.

Topics