Italy Arrests Drug Traffickers Using Migrants as Couriers
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Loading... - Farida Reda
- 20 Feb 2025
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Italian authorities have arrested 27 individuals linked to two organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking, with one group exploiting migrants as couriers. The operation, conducted by Italy's Carabinieri police, spanned multiple countries, including Italy, Albania, and Spain.
The arrests were part of a coordinated pan-European raid targeting drug offenses. According to the Carabinieri, 20 suspects were remanded in custody, while seven others were placed under house arrest. One group, primarily led by Nigerian nationals, recruited young Nigerian asylum seekers and refugees to transport marijuana across Italy and into other parts of Europe.
A long-distance bus terminal near Rome's Tiburtina train station was identified as a key hub for drug trafficking, serving as both a national and international sorting center. The police noted that couriers were recruited from a migrant reception center located on the outskirts of Rome, which was used as a depot for storing drugs.
The second group involved in the trafficking operation was led by Albanian nationals, who imported marijuana into Italy using fast boats across the Adriatic Sea. This group was also implicated in selling the drugs to Nigerian traffickers. Additionally, some Albanian suspects faced charges of aggravated extortion against Nigerian buyers who failed to make timely payments for the drugs.
Italy has become a primary entry point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, particularly those departing from North Africa and Turkey. Since the beginning of 2023, the country has recorded nearly 230,000 migrant arrivals, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to migration and organized crime.
This operation underscores the complex interplay between drug trafficking and migration, as criminal organizations exploit vulnerable individuals for their illicit activities. The arrests represent a concerted effort by Italian law enforcement to combat drug-related crime and protect migrants from exploitation.
