According to a statement by authorities, the investigation led to the enforcement of precautionary measures against 20 individuals across the provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Verona, Vicenza, Rovigo, Rome, Frosinone, Varese, and Ragusa.

The Trento Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that the suspects are accused of participating in criminal associations dedicated to the trafficking—including international operations—and distribution of narcotics, as well as a network involved in migrant smuggling.

Launched in June 2021 and continuing through November 2024, the investigation identified routes used to bring cocaine from Paraguay and Peru—via Spain—into northern Italy. Seven of the individuals involved were arrested while actively committing crimes.

Italian authorities reported the seizure of approximately 82 kilograms of cocaine, including 60 kilograms confiscated in Paraguay and eight in Peru; these shipments were destined for the Italian market. Some of the drug had been processed into crack cocaine.

The investigation also established the alleged involvement of two of the suspects in a kidnapping for extortion purposes, which took place in March 2023 between Verona and Trento, targeting a man who owed drug-related debts.

Regarding the international smuggling of migrants, it was confirmed that two of the individuals under investigation were arrested in Slovakia in December 2022 while transporting 15 Syrian nationals, who had reportedly paid 700 euros each for the final leg of the journey.

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