Drugs, cell phones, and violence in Sanremo prison: 100 people under investigation, including a psychologist and a police officer in trouble.

Sanremo – A widespread network capable of transforming prison sections into open-air drug dealing hubs, with phones connected to social media, rudimentary weapons, and prices multiplied by more than 100 compared to the outside world. The major operation conducted by the Imperia State Police together with the Regional Investigative Unit of the Turin Penitentiary Police, coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Matteo Gobbi, concluded with the issuance of 100 notices of conclusion of investigations.

The alleged crimes span a period between July 2023 and July 2024 within the Valle Armea prison. The investigation uncovered a veritable drug brokerage center, primarily managed in two sections of the facility and fed by external channels. The transactions even took place in the prison's common areas and library, evading routine surveillance.

In addition to Italian and foreign inmates, couriers, and external supporters, the investigation has uncovered direct responsibilities among facility staff. Among those targeted are a psychologist at the facility, accused of introducing and delivering illicit material to inmates on multiple occasions, and a prison police officer, accused of perjury regarding serious internal disturbances.

The investigation was also prompted by a violent episode on December 9, 2023, when two rival factions clashed armed with sticks on the prison stairs, causing numerous injuries.

A settling of scores linked to internal trafficking and accumulated debts: the business generated constant tension and blackmail, so much so that the families of prisoners were forced to pay from the outside to avoid beatings and retaliation against their relatives behind bars.

The evidentiary framework was completed by targeted searches inside and outside the facility, involving the Flying Squad, the Forensic Police, and canine units. The searches resulted in the seizure of quantities of drugs, smartphones regularly used to maintain contact with the outside world and post content online, as well as blades and homemade weapons manufactured directly in the cells.