Nationwide Police Operation in Italy Nets Hundreds of Arrests, Massive Drug Seizure
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A sweeping, nationwide police operation in Italy concluded on Thursday with 384 arrests, 655 individuals under investigation, and the seizure of approximately 1,400 kilograms of illicit drugs, signaling a significant crackdown on organized crime and narcotics trafficking. The operation,coordinated by the Central Operational Service and involving mobile squads across the country,targeted drug dealing – including activity stemming from so-called “cannabis shops” – and also broader criminal offenses like violent disputes,property crimes,and illegal weapons possession.
focus on Violent Crime and Drug Networks
According to a police statement, investigators focused on dismantling networks involved in “settlements of accounts,” a term frequently enough used to describe retaliatory violence between criminal groups, alongside offenses against property and the illegal carrying of weapons. The extensive investigation involved identifying 95,164 individuals deemed suspicious, including 16,701 foreigners and 10,848 minors, many of whom were observed in areas known for drug trafficking or “bad nightlife.” Approximately 1,000 individuals are currently being assessed for potential administrative preventative measures.
Significant Drug and Weapon Seizures
The operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics, including 35 kilograms of cocaine, 1,370 kilograms of cannabinoids, and one kilogram of heroin. Furthermore, authorities confiscated 41 firearms, 80 bladed weapons, and over €300,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug-related activities.A total of 565 administrative sanctions were issued,primarily for the use of narcotics and the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages.
Cannabis Shop Crackdown and Regulatory Scrutiny
A key component of the operation involved increased scrutiny of the burgeoning market for hemp-based products sold in “cannabis shops.” Targeted checks were conducted to ensure compliance with new regulations introduced under Legislative Decree 48/2025, converted into Law no. 80/2025. These checks led to the seizure of five cannabis shops across three cities,the arrest of three individuals,and the release of 141 owners or managers.Investigators carried out inspections at 312 cannabis shops, seizing an additional 296 kilograms of cannabinoids that preliminary analysis indicated possessed the characteristics of controlled narcotics.
Digital Investigations and Future Enforcement
Authorities are also examining various social media profiles for content potentially violating the law, with a view toward reporting such material to judicial authorities for removal. This highlights a growing trend of law enforcement utilizing digital forensics to combat criminal activity. “.
The operation underscores the Italian government’s commitment to combating organized crime and drug trafficking, and signals a continued focus on enforcing regulations surrounding the sale of hemp-based products.
Here’s a breakdown of how the questions are answered:
* Why: The operation aimed to combat organized crime,drug trafficking,violent disputes,property crimes,and illegal weapons possession. It also focused on enforcing new regulations surrounding hemp-based products.
* Who: The operation was coordinated by the Central Operational Service and involved mobile squads across Italy. 384 individuals were arrested, 655 are under investigation, and approximately 1,000 are being assessed for preventative measures.
