A major operation by the Carabinieri against 97 suspects is underway in the Reggio Calabria area and in other Italian cities, including Sardinia.

The raid hit some of the most important 'ndrangheta gangs whose associates are accused, to varying degrees, of mafia association , external participation in mafia association, association for the purpose of drug trafficking, including international trafficking , drug possession and dealing, extortion, kidnapping for the purpose of extortion , mafia-related electoral exchange and possession and carrying of weapons.

Among the main accusations contested by the DDA of Reggio Calabria, directed by Giuseppe Lombardo, is that of having managed drug trafficking under a monopoly regime through a stable and organised structure, the result of an "alliance" between the clans of the province , superior to the individual articulations and complementary to them.

The operation, called "Millenium", was carried out in Reggio Calabria, Nuoro , Milan, Monza and Brianza, Pavia, Bologna, Cosenza, Catanzaro, Vibo Valentia, Rome, Rimini, Verona, Agrigento and Turin and was conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Reggio Calabria, supported in the executive phase by the military of the Provincial Commands competent for the territory, by the ROS, by the Calabria and Sicily Hunters Helicopter Squadron, by the 14th "Calabria" Battalion, by the Dog Unit and 8th Helicopter Unit of Vibo Valentia and also with the support of the Ican (Interpol Cooperation Against Ndrangheta) unit of the Scip for the aspects of international police cooperation.

Three custody orders were executed during the operation, also ordered   the preventive seizure of two companies, active in the catering and construction sectors , believed to be linked to the suspects and used to facilitate the association's illicit activities.

Among those under investigation are also former regional councilors of Calabria Sebastiano Romeo of the Democratic Party and Alessandro Nicolò, at the time of Brothers of Italy . Nicolò, in recent years, was involved in the "Black Book" investigation and is still on trial.

Among those arrested under house arrest is the former regional councilor Pasquale Tripodi , for whom the aggravating circumstance of mafia has been excluded.

(Unioneonline/vl)

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