CAGLIARI - The carabinieri of Cagliari have succeeded in striking a massive blow against international drug trafficking. In the early hours of October 6, over 400 officers carried out „Operation Termine“, which covered nine provinces, including Cagliari, Nuoro, Rome and Vicenza. The operation, led by the Cagliari Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA), resulted in 71 measures against Italian and foreign suspects. 50 people were remanded in custody, 9 were placed under house arrest and others were banned or obliged to stay.
The charges include criminal association for the purpose of drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons. The complex investigation, which lasted from January 2022 to May 2024, suggests that the suspects, many of whom are already known to the police, operated in a sophisticated network.
A Sardinian network with Albanian connections
The investigation focuses on two organizations rooted in Sardinia that maintained close links to Albanian crime in Tuscany and Veneto. According to the findings so far, the first, hierarchically structured group was responsible for the procurement of cocaine and heroin on the mainland and its distribution in Sardinia. A second group, described as „instrumental“, consisted of professional truck drivers. They are said to have transported the drugs in specially prepared trucks with mechanical double floors and handled the cash payments to the Albanian suppliers.
Weapons of war and a kidnapping case
During the two-year investigation, 9 people were caught red-handed and 88 kg of cocaine, 7 kg of heroin and over 370,000 euros in cash were confiscated. Of particular concern is the discovery of weapons of war, including a „Panzerfaust“ grenade launcher, an RPG grenade and an Uzi submachine gun. Investigators suspect that these heavy weapons were intended to be used for attacks on cash transporters in order to clear escape routes. The operation also shed light on a kidnapping case from April 3, 2023 in Sant'Anna Arresi, for which the investigators have now identified the suspects responsible.
