The Licciardi clan's army: 24 people are being tried.

Naples – A complex prosecution framework, constructed piece by piece through wiretaps, field investigations, seizures, and detailed reconstructions by investigators. The Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate has closed the loop on an alleged widespread drug trafficking network operating in the city's northern neighborhoods and linked to one of Campania's most powerful criminal cartels: the Licciardi clan.

The request for indictment, signed by the public prosecutor on May 26, 2026, has been submitted to Dr. Federica Colucci, the preliminary hearing judge, who has already set the first date on her calendar: the parties will appear in court on November 24 for the start of the preliminary hearing.

The investigation and the raid: the map of drug trafficking

The current proceedings represent a fragment of a much broader investigation aimed at dismantling the economic arteries of Neapolitan organized crime. The initial raid, sparked by field investigations conducted by the Naples Police Headquarters' Flying Squad, highlighted a stable structure capable of moving large quantities of narcotics: cocaine, heroin, and hashish.

From the findings of wiretaps and environmental investigations and subsequent search and seizure orders, a picture emerged characterized by a widespread division of roles. The drug dealing hubs of Masseria Cardone and Don Guanella—historic strongholds of the city's drug trafficking—represented the beating heart of the city's operational and retail activities.

The dome and the aggravating circumstance of the armed alliance

In retracing the prosecution's line of reasoning, the Prosecutor's Office identifies a clear hierarchy within the societas sceleris. The roles of promoters and organizers are attributed to Francesco Avolio and the brothers Gennaro and Antonio Trambarulo: according to the investigation, they were the ones who defined the strategic lines, oversaw procurement, and supervised the financial flows of the illicit proceeds.

A well-structured network of collaborators and intermediaries revolved around the alleged leaders. Among these, Ferdinando Perrotti, who is credited with managing the drug supply channels, and Olindo Oppolo, identified as the key figure in the physical distribution of the drugs in the various locations in the area, stood out.

The situation of the twenty-four defendants is further aggravated by two extremely serious charges: the availability and use of weapons and the intention to facilitate the Licciardi clan, historically part of the so-called Secondigliano Alliance cartel.

The preliminary hearing judge's scrutiny and the defense's guarantees

With the filing of the indictment request, the proceedings now enter their crucial phase. On November 24th, before preliminary hearing judge Colucci, the defense will have the opportunity to discuss the evidentiary framework presented by the prosecutor, consisting of briefing notes, summary reports, and transcripts of interviews.

Since this is a request made by the investigating body, it is important to remember that the charges brought against the suspects represent a prosecution case that must still be examined in the appropriate courts. The constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence applies to all suspects until a final conviction is issued.

List of suspects

Antonietta Alfano
Francesco Avolio
Pasquale Chiavarone
Pasquale Di Guida
Salvatore Equatore
Antonio Esposito
Domenico Esposito
James Gala
James Maisto
Raffaele Nappi
Olindo Oppolo
Ferdinand Perrotti
Ciro Porzio
Raffaele Rende
Luigi Rignante
Antonio Rigotti
Silvio Rigotti
Gennaro Romano
Pasquale Scotto
Antonio Tecchio
Vincenzo Tecchio
Antonio Trambarulo
Gennaro Trambarulo
Ferdinand Zampini