Catania, Carabinieri vanquish 12 drug dealing squares

A maxi anti-mafia operation by the carabinieri with 101 suspects, most of whom arrested, is underway in Catania who are carrying out a precautionary order from the Gip. The investigation, coordinated by the local District Prosecutor's Office, allowed to clear the stronghold of drug trafficking and dealing, which, through various criminal groups, was under the direct control of Cosa Nostra. With the blitz underway, the DDA and the Arma soldiers believe they have vanquished 12 imposing 'dealing squares' rooted in the popular district of San Giovanni Galermo, a historic 'stronghold' of drug trafficking and sales in the Etna capital. The 101 suspects in the operation, called 'Skanderbeg', are accused, in various capacities, of mafia-type association, criminal association aimed at trafficking and selling drugs, with the aggravating circumstance of the mafia method and purpose, and for illegal possession and carrying of firearms. The investigation was coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate and conducted by the operational nucleus of the Catania Fontanarossa Carabinieri Company. According to the indictment, "the various teams that managed the 'dealing squares' enjoyed clear autonomy in terms of territorial competence and organizational management, but still acted under the direct control of the Nizza group belonging to the Cosa 'family'. our catanese of Santapaola-Ercolano, which imposed on the 'square leaders' the exclusive supply of the drug from the same group of costs and quantities of drugs to buy ". Over 400 carabinieri of the provincial command of Catania are involved in the blitz, supported by the military of the other provinces of Sicily and the specialized departments of the Arma: operational intervention company of the 12th Sicily Regiment, heliported squadron Hunters Sicily, Helicopter nucleus and Dog group