Anti-drug operation between Sicily and Calabria by the Carabinieri of the Palagonia company and the provincial commands of Catania and Reggio Calabria who arrested six people for criminal association aimed at trafficking and dealing in narcotic substances and extortion. A precautionary custody order in prison was carried out against them by the Etna investigating magistrate at the request of the local DDA. At the same time, towards 19 other suspects, the Catania Prosecutor’s Office issued a notice of conclusion of the preliminary investigations for drug trafficking.
Among those arrested Antonino Apa, belonging to the Bellocco ‘ndrina and related to members of the Pesce gang
According to the accusation, the six arrested would have managed an association trafficking cocaine, hashish and marijuana coming from Calabria and intended to supply the drug dealing markets in Palagonia, Ramacca, Scordia, Caltagirone and Gela, with the aim of acquiring control of the drug market in these areas. Among those arrested there is also Antonino Apa, 49 years old, resident in Rosarno (RC), related to members of the Pesce di Rosarno gang but believed to belong to the Bellocco ‘ndrina, which guaranteed the stable supply of large quantities of cocaine.
Extortion to recover unpaid drugs with threats and violence to “defaulting” buyers
The investigations, coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate and conducted by the Carabinieri company of Palagonia between 2023 and 2024, made it possible to reconstruct the structure of the organisation, the roles of the individual associates and the methods of procurement, transport and distribution of the drugs which were sold “wholesale” to pushers and criminal groups. The investigation also revealed extortion aimed at recovering debts for unpaid drugs, with threats and violence towards “defaulting” buyers.
During the investigation phases, which began in 2023, the Carabinieri arrested 11 people in flagrante delicto and seized two kilograms of cocaine, 21 kilograms of marijuana and more than 2 kilograms of hashish and a pistol with an abraded serial number. At the same time as the execution of personal precautionary measures, preventive seizures of assets for 163 thousand euros were also carried out. In addition to Apa, Filippo Brancato, 57 years old, Salvatore Brancato, 36 years old, Angelo Criscione, 28 years old, Francesco Antonio Gulizia, 45 years old, and Giuseppe Pillirone, 41 years old, were arrested.