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FOR
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FOREWORD
2011 was a significant year for DCSA. Mention must be made of the brilliant results achieved, the change of directors – on a rotation basis principle DCSA director is now a Major General of the Guardia di Finanza - and much more important it celebrated its 30th anniversary. During this long period full of success its structure has been improved in order to keep it effective and up- to- date.
It was thus decided, also in order to limit spending, to completely change the setting of the Annual Report which is now available only in electronic version.
It will thus be possible to consult the report using a light and customer- friendly instrument, equipped with an innovative software drawing the attention of readers to a specific topic without losing sight of the whole text.
The pen drive also contains the English and Spanish versions and photographs of the main operations coordinated by DCSA.
The Report, which contains data useful to statistics, also analyzes the counter-narcotics activities carried out by the law enforcement agencies in 2011 and the trends of the phenomenon: production areas, main transit directions and impact at national level.
Also the contents layout has changed. The report is no longer focused on each single narcotic substance but on the analysis of the phenomenon
as a whole, both at geopolitical level and in terms of transnational crime.
It comes out that organized crime is able to manage transit routes, transoceanic routes included. The drugs reach the main intermediate landing ports and are smuggled through the borders of all continents taking advantage of possible gaps in the international network of control.
The loose rings of this chain often correspond to areas where economic and social reasons foster corruption. European countries and EU bodies are urged to make additional efforts in the field of international and police cooperation encouraging training and providing support - technical equipment and human resources – to local law enforcement authorities.
The big criminal organizations have long been operating at international level with managerial skills: they entrust local crime groups with minor though vital activities and at the same time they are able to provide for the financial coverage of the high risks connected to drug deliveries. For this reason, law enforcement authorities are asked to give a high level response that is not always feasible in nations with limited economic resources.
International police cooperation at strategic and operational levels is thus essential. DCSA provides its expertise and support to C.A.R.I.C.C.
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(Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre) in Almaty (Kazakhstan), to MAOC-N (Maritime Analysis Operations Centre – Narcotics), a centre for naval and air interdiction with its headquarters in Lisbon, which controls cocaine trafficking through the Atlantic, as well as to the Dublin Group.
On behalf of the Department of Public Security DCSA participated in all fora aimed at creating the best conditions for international police cooperation to harmonize the counternarcotics activity, being convinced that a mere national approach cannot be effective.
At domestic level, DCSA strongly supported the coordination of the investigations carried out by local offices all over the country. In this connection in 2011, 782 overlaps (more offices or units investigating into the same subjects) were identified and DCSA coordination allowed to optimize human and financial resources. Mention must be made of the support provided to national and international controlled deliveries (47 in 2011), the overall amount of substances seized (more than 39 tons) and of the persons reported to the judicial authorities for drug-related trafficking and pushing (37,000).
According to the law enforcement authorities drug deaths amounted to three-hundred and sixty-two persons (- 3.21% in 2010), a downward trend if compared to previous years.
The present report is meant to be an instrument of statistical analysis and information used by the Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga to raise the awareness of the relevant authorities and experts about the flood of any type of drugs which yearly reach our coasts and borders. Italy is used as a destination and transit country to fuel the rich domestic and European markets.
Notwithstanding the daily commitment of all law enforcement authorities and the effective counteraction carried out, the drug plague continues to be one of the most dangerous threats. All means are thus necessary to fight against it, both at national, European and international levels. A balanced approach is needed to harmonize preventive and repressive measures so to raise awareness among young people on the one hand and hit the supply chain on the other.
The DirectorAndrea De Gennaro
DCSA -
ANNUALE
2011
FIRST PARTNATIONAL COUNTER-NARCOTICS ACTIVITIES
SECOND PARTD.C.S.A. ACTIVITIES IN ITALY IN 2011
CONTENTS
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FIRST PART
Organized cr imeNational counter-narcotics act iv it ies
DRUG TRAFFICKING SITUATION AND TRENDS IN ITALY
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organized crime- i n t r o d u c t i o n - i t a l i a n o r g a n i z e d c r i m e
- f o r e i g n o r g a n i z e d c r i m e
- f o r e i g n n a t i o n a l s r e p o r t e d t o t h e j u d i c i a l
a u t h o r i t y - r e g i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n
- f o r e i g n n a t i o n a l s r e p o r t e d t o t h e j u d i c i a l
a u t h o r i t y - p r o v i n c i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n
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introductionorganized crime is a global phenomenon having both an international and a
transnational feature. Indeed organized crime groups enter into an alliance with crime
groups in different countries so to manage their business in an efficient, cost-effective
and safe way.
This is particularly true for drug trafficking, the major activity of organized crime.
Nowadays, the drug market has become wider, more composite and complex, thanks
to the proliferation of illicit psychotropic substances (there are 65 new synthetic drugs
which have emerged in the last two years)1, the creation of new markets and routes,
as well as to the multitude of individuals and organizations involved from different
countries. These criminal syndicates are ready to enter into agreements to gain huge
and rapid profits.
More than other illicit activities, drug trafficking develops, multiplies and reinforces
the criminal groups involved, contributing to foster and widen the relations
between them. These relations allow them to overcome national boundaries
and set up transborder criminal networks responsible for drug production,
processing, trafficking and brokerage. Syndicates do not follow pre-
defined modus operandi and patterns, entering into occasional cooperation
agreements which are flexible, dynamical, unusual and unexpected, thus
dangerous and insidious.
Moreover poly-drug trafficking has recently become a common
phenomenon strengthening agreements and integration between the
different organizations so to better meet the ever-changing and variegated
drug demand.
Drug trafficking, core business of criminal networks, cannot be understood
and thus duly coped with without a careful and constant analysis of
organized crime and vice versa. It is thus indispensable to adequately
analyze its features, dynamics, strategies, potentialities and evolutionary
1 Europol source, O.C.T.A. 2011
organized crime
Seizure of 375 kg of haShiSh - genova
trends. Indeed the drug market is almost completely managed by well-structured,
often mafia-type organizations capable of controlling each ring of the chain and of the
relevant drug profits laundering.
italian organized crimeThe world scenario is reflected in the national situation which emerges from the
information and data gathered, stored and processed by the Direzione Centrale
per i Servizi Antidroga as well from the investigations carried out by Italian law
enforcement agencies and coordinated by DCSA, also at the international level. Drug
trafficking is mostly managed by qualified and specialized crime groups entering into
operational agreements and looking for alliances.
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Mention must be made of traditional mafia-type organizations (Cosa Nostra,
‘Ndrangheta, Camorra and Puglia-based organized crime) which thanks to widespread
and deep-rooted links outside regional and national boundaries as well as to a thorough
and in-depth control of their land of origin are capable of managing international
trafficking of huge proportions and local markets.
Such organizations take also advantage from the particular position of Italy (in
the middle of the Mediterranean, land and sea final part of the well-known “Balkan
route”, proximity to the coasts of North Africa, important drug storage and production
area) and by its geographical structure with thousands of kilometers of coasts. As a
result Italy is not only a market of destination and consumption but also one of the
main gateway to Europe and thus a crucial and strategic pivot, a logistic hub for all
international, licit and illicit trafficking routes.
Seizure of 201 kg of haShiSh - reggio emilia
The investigation outcomes highlight that Italian mafia-type organizations – which
are already competitive and have consolidated historical relations at international
level - need to come into alliances, also occasionally, with foreign criminal groups so
to better meet the particular needs of illicit trafficking and laundering of relevant drug
proceeds.
In figures, in 2011 in Italy 23,103 operations were carried out (+ 4.19% in comparison
to the previous year) leading to the seizure of 39,359.57 kg of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances (+ 25.94% in comparison to 2010), and to the seizure of
1,008,228 cannabis plants (+ 1,290%) .
In particular, there was an increase in the seizures of marijuana (10,907.883 kg; +
98.15%), cocaine (6,346.30 kg; + 65.12%) and the so-called “other drugs” (997.892
kg; + 42.92%).
The term “other drugs” comprises different types of drugs belonging
to different categories: hallucinogenic, stimulants, tranquillizers,
anaesthetics, painkillers, appetite suppressants, opiates, etc. In
particular, there were many and significant seizures of “khat”, a
natural drug with amphetamine-type effects, mainly consumed by
ethnic-based groups. The plant of khat traditionally grows in the
Arabic peninsula and in Eastern Africa.
Moreover, mention must be made of the seizures of ketamine, an
anaesthetic used as drug for its powerful psychedelic effects, but
also of opium and morphine, as well as of plants, poppy bulbs and
capsules, methadone, nandrolone, psychotropic drugs of different
types and others.
Synthetic drugs seizures must be analyzed from another perspective.
In 2011 16,573 doses (mainly as tablets) for a total of 39 kilos
were seized (- 77.88%). Although its quantity may seem limited in
comparison with the tons seized for other substances, this is not true:
in fact, a few milligrams of active principle are enough to make a
single dose.
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Among synthetic drugs mention must be made of methamphetamine hydrochloride,
one of the purest forms of methamphetamine, also known as “shaboo”, a word used
in the Philippines. Filipinos have almost completely monopolized this drug; last year
68 of them were reported in Italy.
Hashish seizures (20,257.564 kg) peaked and remained stable (+0.22%) in comparison
with 2010. Also the port of Genoa ranked first as to hashish seizures (1,886.65 kg in
2011, 12,836.02 kg in the five-year time 2007-2011)
Heroin seizures decreased (810.928 kg) by 14.09%. This downward trend started in
2007 along with the decrease in heroin retail price both of “white” 2 (from 78 Euros
per gram in 2007 to 60 Euros in 2011) and of “brown” 3 heroin (from 52.50 Euros in
2007 to 41 Euros in 2011).
The overall seizure of 39,359.57 kg in Italy goes along with the drug seizure of
5,707.88 kg carried out in 2011 abroad by foreign law enforcement agencies thanks
to the information and coordination provided by the Direzione Centrale per i Servizi
Antidroga, as a result of investigations with international connections carried out
by Italian law enforcement agencies. Precisely: 1,500 kg of cocaine, 1,577.70 kg of
hashish and 2,600 kg of marijuana. In comparison with 2010 (50.71kg) there was an
increase of 11,156%.
In 2011 the number of persons reported to the Judicial Authority in Italy for
drug-related crimes (36,796) was still high.
However it must be taken into account that drug trafficking organizations are more
concerned about losing their drug consignments (i.e. money) rather than having
their members reported or arrested. The great majority of these members are not
associates and are only used for the services they can offer, remaining independent
from the organization itself thus creating no serious problem in case of arrest.
In order to fully understand the overall drug scenario the counternarcotics activity
must be analyzed from different perspectives taking into account all components and
data.
The overall analysis which is useful to review the operational models must take into
2 Theso-calledwhiteheroinisthepurestone,mainlycomingfromtheso-called“Goldentri-angle”,i.e.Myanmar(formerBurma),LaosandThailand
3 Theso-calledbrownheroinistheleastpure,mainlycomingfromAfghanistanandPakistan
account all metadata referring to the above-mentioned sectors (operations, seizures
and persons reported) as well as their comparison and interpolation with other data,
information and evaluations.
The increase in the operations (+4.19%) and seizures (+25.94%) is much more
important as far as cocaine and marijuana are concerned, which ranked first in terms
of tons seized.
As far as cocaine is concerned (the most lucrative of drug trafficking) there was an
increase of 65.12% in the amount seized, but a slight decrease (- 2.48% from 7,129
to 6,952 kg) in the number of the operations. However a more careful and detailed
analysis revealed that investigations into criminal organizations trafficking in “white
power” increased.
The investigations leading to the seizure of an amount of cocaine ≥ 10 kg (the
threshold marking the involvement of a criminal organization) increased by 13.33%.
Such yearly fluctuation rose to 33.34% for seizures ≥20 kg, 75% for seizures ≥50 kg,
166.67% for seizures ≥80 kg and 250% for seizures ≥100 kg. It must be highlighted
that there was a gradual increase in the investigations into criminal organizations
trafficking in huge amounts of cocaine.
As a result, the number of seizures involving such organizations increased, cocaine
seizures ≥10 kg increased by 118.34%, cocaine seizures ≥20 kg by 136.47%, cocaine
seizures ≥50 kg by 173.84% and those ≥80 kg by 201.14%.
Taking into account only the seizures carried out at borders the investigative outcome
is even more meaningful. Indeed these areas are under the control of major crime
groups capable of managing the most risky phase of the process, that is drug transit
at borders, which are already subject to any kind of control. The yearly increase in
cocaine seizures in the border areas was of 109.98% (4,495.28 kg seized) while in the
rest of Italy seizures rose to 8.71% (1,851.02 kg seized). Also in this case the excellent
result achieved is linked to the increase in the operations. Specifically, operations
leading to the seizure ≥10 kg of cocaine increased by 25% up to +250% for seizures
≥100 kg.
In percentage the increase in seizures at customs areas is even higher if we consider
that some of the seizures carried out in Italy are the outcome of so-called “controlled
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deliveries”. Such operations are steadily increasing and concerns amounts of drugs
(from a few grams inside envelopes sent via mail up to larger amounts) which in
most cases were already detected and controlled by investigating authorities when
crossing the border but their seizure is postponed for the time necessary to gather
evidence or identify and arrest the persons responsible for crimes under articles 73
(production, trafficking and illicit detention of drugs and psychotropic substances)
and 74 (association to the ends of the illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic
substances) of the Drug Consolidating Act.
The overall picture shows that in 2011 Italian law enforcement agencies further
increased their attention to the most qualified, specialized and dangerous cocaine
trafficking organizations, seizing 6,346.30 kg of this substance, the highest amount
over the last ten years.
The seizures carried out at borders reveal that cocaine, which is traditionally the most
seized drug at airports (822.51kg in 2011 above all at Milano Malpensa and Roma
Fiumicino – with an increase of 7.68% in comparison with the previous year) also
ranked first in the seizures carried out at the Italian ports (3,626.54 kg).
Besides the famous port of Gioia Tauro (RC) with 684.72 kg seized (2,344.76 kg in the
last three years) mention must be made of the ports of Genoa (405.47 kg) and above
all of Livorno (1,015.77 kg), La Spezia (974 kg) and Alghero (503.10 kg). Over the last
five years, in the above-mentioned three ports there have been only negligible or no
seizures at all.
It comes out that main crime groups (in particular ‘Ndrangheta and Camorra) started
to directly import into Italy huge quantities of cocaine, without passing through or
storing the drug in the Iberian peninsula or the Netherlands, the traditional gateway
to Europe of South-American cocaine. As to the sea-route such an approach is proven
by the cocaine seizures carried out in the Italian ports - 610.72 kg in 2008, 1,358.86
kg in 2009, 1,331.44 kg in 2010, 3,626.54 kg in 2011 .
The above-mentioned considerations concerning cocaine, that is a global analysis
going beyond variations in percentages, are also valid for marijuana. In 2011
marijuana seizures doubled (+98.15%), going from 5,504.96 kg to 10,907.88 kg, and
the operations increased by 35.65%.
In details, if we take into account the same weight ranges as cocaine seizures, the
operations leading to marijuana seizures recorded an increase (≥10 kg = + 55.56%;
≥20 kg = + 73.17%; ≥50 kg = +131.58%; ≥80 kg = +177.78%; ≥100 kg = +200%) .
There was an overall increase in the number of the operations carried out in Italy
(+34.68%) and in the number of seizures (+77.45) but operations at borders increased
by 50.56% and seizures in the customs area by 213.18%.
As a result, special emphasis should be given both to the fight “downhill” (i.e. against
street pushing) and “uphill” (.i.e. against well qualified and structured crime groups
managing high volumes of drug trafficking).
Moreover the counteracting strategy is fundamental for other two important reasons:
- because seizures at borders hinder the scattering of drug and its invasion of
national and foreign markets;
- because the economic loss of drug crime is proportionally far higher since:
- drug retail price is higher
- the drug is “cut” (i.e mixed up with other substances)
- before arriving in the hands of end users, drug is managed by many criminals who
make a profit on it.
Criminal organizations do not want to lose money, this is the worst form of damage
they may suffer. It is thus fundamental to hit their illicitly gained assets.
It is extremely complicated to precisely estimate drug trafficking turnover due to
the myriads of indicators and variables to be considered. However it is possible to
estimate the lack of income of crime, particularly organized crime, on the basis of the
total of the drug seizures and the relevant average prices on the wholesale market.
In 2011 in Italy the balance was the following:
- cocaine - economic loss: 250 million Euros, average wholesale price : 39,000
Euros per kilo, amount seized: 6,346.30 kg;
- heroin - average wholesale price: €22,400 for Afghan “brown” heroin and €34,500
for “white” heroin. If we consider that our country mainly consumes Afghan heroin
and that 810 kg were seized, the economic loss of organized syndicates was of 20
million Euros;
- hashish - economic loss: 45 million Euros, average wholesale price: €2,200 per kilo,
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amount seized: 20,257.57 kg;
- Marijuana - economic loss: around 15 million Euros, wholesale price: €1,360,
amount seized: 10,907.88 kg seized
- Cannabis plants: 1,008,228 plants seized. Estimates carried out at European level
reveal that each plant may yield 100 g of marijuana. The consequent loss for crime
reportedly amounted to 137 million Euros. However, considering that the quality
and dimension of the cannabis plant cultivated in Italy (in particular in Southern
Italy where almost all the seizures of these plants took place) are far higher than
those in the rest of Western Europe, the profit was even higher.
The overall value on the market of the drug substances seized by law enforcement
agencies in 2011 was around 467 million Euros (the sum does not include synthetic
drugs since they are difficult to be estimated due to their variety). Supply costs at
producing countries, transportation and intermediation costs must be deducted from
this sum.
Moreover, it should be considered that the total sum would have been higher if the
drug had been sold on the wholesale markets where prices are far higher and where
some substances, above all cocaine and heroin, reach the consumer after several
“cuts”.
Based on the analysis of the wholesale and retail prices trend, we could reasonably
think that drugs, notwithstanding the constant decrease in their retail value,
represent a “shelter asset” for organized crime, that feels confident of investing in
large consumer goods.
This probably happened to cocaine and heroin in 2006-2009. In fact, observing
the trend of their prices, we can notice a misalignment between wholesale prices
(that suddenly increased4) and retail prices (that have constantly decreased5). This
situation is anomalous, since based on the market laws, prices should have kept pace
4 From 2006 to 2009 wholesale prices, referring to 1 gram of drug, increased as follows. Cocaine: from € 41,500 to €43,200; brown heroin: from € 22,900 to € 24,200; white heroin: from € 37,700 to € 39,200.
5 From 2006 to 2009 wholesale prices, referring to 1 gram of drug decreased as follows: Co-caine: from € 86.50 to € 70; brown heroin: from €54.50 to € 41; white heroin: from € 82 to € 60.
and influenced each other.
This gap could depend on a deliberate investment operation performed by a determined
and limited number of large criminal organizations that did not want to cause a rise
in the retail prices.
After this general overview of the national situation, we would like to take into
consideration the data at regional level (seizures, reported persons, operations). In
this case the quantities of drugs seized and the reports to the Judicial Authority
show variations, sometimes very significant, between the different regions. This is
influenced by the extent of the territory, the population density, the existence of
borders, ports and airports, especially those with international routes, but also by the
presence of qualified international organizations.
The number of the members of criminal organizations under Art. 74(“Conspiracy to
traffic in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances”), Presidential Order No. 309/
1990, proves the presence and entrenchment of Mafia-like organizations in their
regions of origin. In fact in Sicilia, Puglia, Campania and Calabria altogether, also
in 2011 almost the half of the persons reported for this offence was registered
(46.19%, while in 2010, 47.02% was recorded), equally distributed among them (in
Seizure of 200 kg of haShiSh - BreScia
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s Sicilia 12.02%, in Puglia 11.60%, in Campania 11.40% and Calabria 11.17%). As a
result, most operations targeting such organizations (35% in 2011) were made in such
regions. Mention must be made of the data recorded in Lombardia as to Art. 74 (it
ranked first with 565 persons reported) and in Lazio that ranked 6th with 322 persons
reported. The traditional Italian Mafia organizations have been present and powerful
in these regions for a long time.
Drug investigations carried out by the law enforcement authorities into the major local
mafia-like criminal networks (‘ndrangheta, cosa nostra, camorra and Puglia-
based organized crime) and coordinated by D.C.S.A., up to 31.12.2011, recorded
an increase of 5.29% with respect to the previous year.
In general, the four Southern regions recorded 28% (in 2010, 27%) of the total of
persons reported to the Judicial Authorities for drug-related crimes (and 30% of the
arrested persons), as a result of 6,166 antidrug operations, with a rise of 4% (in
particular, in Puglia +16.73% and Calabria +8.72%).
In details, while Campania is still at the height as to the number of persons reported
to the Judicial Authority (in particular, the number of subjects arrested subjects) and
to the antidrug operations performed, from an analytical point of view, particular
mention must be made of Sicilia. In fact, this region has recorded the highest increase
both in the number of persons reported to the Judicial Authority (3,056, that is
+7.61% in contrast to the decrease of 5.84% recorded at national level) and in the
specific number of persons reported (+7.05%), under Art. 73 (“Manufacturing of and
illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances”). Only this region has
shown an increase in the number of persons reported in accordance with Art. 74
for “conspiracy to traffic in narcotic drugs” (369, that is +11.82%), ranking 2nd after
Lombardia.
However, data concerning mafia-like criminal networks involvement in drug trafficking
activities cannot be considered comprehensive: for example, Cosa Nostra does
not seem to be directly involved in illicit trafficking activities. This Sicilian crime
group often delegates other Italian or foreign gangs for the activities of trafficking,
cultivation or distribution. In this way, Cosa Nostra gets double benefit:
- avoiding the severe punishments envisaged by the Italian Drug Legislation ;
- getting high profit through its control over the territory and the payment of a sort
of “pizzo” (protection money) on these illicit activities.
The Sicilian Mafia (Cosa Nostra) has strengthened its role in the vast drug trafficking
field, both revitalizing traditional contacts and channels used in the past to rule the
heroin smuggling bound for North America, and making new alliances so to obtain
new international markets and exploit logistical-operational support, like in South
America, Spain and Northern Europe.
The renewed interest of the Mafia clans in a more active participation in the drug
trafficking activities is due to several external and internal factors: first of all, the
delicate strategic internal balance of alliances and powers has recently tottered
because of the numerous raids and “excellent” arrests made by the counter-narcotics
authorities in the last few years.
The renewed interest of the Mafia clans in a more active participation in the drug
trafficking activities is due to several external and internal factors: first of all, the
delicate strategic internal balance of alliances and powers has recently tottered
because of the numerous raids and “excellent” arrests made by the counter-narcotics
authorities in the last few years.
To this regard, we cannot forget that the fugitive Matteo MESSINA DENARO, the
undisputed boss of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, has been directly involved in international
cocaine trafficking for a long time.
Moreover, the Mafia families need to get new income since the traditional sectors
under mafia power, such as extortions and illicit contracts, have become risky due
to the incisive and effective action of the State and to the rebellion by civil society.
The need to find new sources of income, led to the expansion of cannabis plants
cultivation, which was once insignificant in our country and just limited to personal
use.
To this regard, in summer 2007 in an internal area located near San Giuseppe Jato
and Corleone (Sicilia) in the framework of a complex anti-mafia investigation, the
largest illicit cannabis plantation ever seen in Europe was discovered and seized (over
1 million and a half plants, three meters tall, on an area of 4,500 square meters) for
an estimated street value of several million Euros.
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According to drug seizures, Calabria ranks “only” 9th among the regions, and 12th for
the number of persons reported to the Judicial Authority; however, if we only consider
cocaine as substance seized, this region ranks third with a total quantity of 1,099.40
kg seized (the year before, calabria was at the first place with a total of 1,204.25 kg
seized, representing 31.33% of the whole cocaine seized in Italy).
The ‘ndrangheta is one of the kingpins in the world cocaine trafficking; in 2008,
the US Government included this criminal network in the Foreign Narcotics Kingpins
Designation Act List, identifying the major foreign narcotics organizations. In the
last twenty years, Italy has become a strategic hub for cocaine trafficking in Europe
and the second consumption market after North America. The ‘Ndrangheta has
established close contacts with all drug traffickers groups of Central and South
America, as proved by several investigations such as Operation “Solare” in 2008. The
investigation revealed that the clans located in the area of Reggio Calabria and along
the Ionian coast, formed strict alliances in order to finance huge imports of cocaine
and, through connections in USA, made agreements with the Mexican traffickers of
the “ Gulf Cartel” for the cocaine supply to Europe. This cocaine crossed Calabria
and in 2011, Operation “Crimine 3”, carried out in cooperation with the D.E.A. and
F.B.I. , along with the police authorities of Colombia, Spain, Holland, highlighted the
collaboration of the ‘Ndrangheta with a Colombian-Venezuelan drug trafficking Cartel
as well as the involvement of a mafia family of Cosa Nostra.
The international traffickers have preferably relations with the Calabrian clans because
of their structure, based on strong family ties, makes them less vulnerable to possible
cooperation with the Judicial authorities and, for this reason, much more reliable.
Moreover, the ‘Ndrangheta has exploited the licit trade activities of the Gioia
Tauro seaport (Reggio Calabria), that is a very important transshipment hub for
the containerized goods coming from all over the world and mainly destined for the
markets of the Mediterranean area and Europe, transforming it in the main entry point
for South-American cocaine (since 2002, 3,759.85 kg of cocaine have been seized
there, of which 2,344.76 kg in the last three years).
This port could become a strategic point also for the goods coming from emerging
economies such as South-East Asia, India and China, bound for the West consumption
markets and also for the maritime trafficking in heroin originating in those areas
(port of Karachi for Afghan heroin and port of Singapore for Myanmar one). Even the
synthetic drugs and precursors smuggling could pass through this strategic Calabrian
port: these substances, used to process drugs, are produced in China, India and
South-East Asia.
According to specific commercial analyses, the container vessels coming from Asia
and destined for the Western Countries would find convenient, both in terms of time
and costs, to unload their goods in Gioia Tauro and from this port, through the
railway and highway networks, onto the ports of the Northern European Countries
(Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp), to be reloaded on container vessels bound for the
Port of New York, that is the hub of North America and Mexico.
The risk is that, in this way, the ‘Ndrangheta clans could also strengthens its
potentialities and brutality in the sectors of heroin, synthetic drugs and precursors
trafficking.
As to heroin and its routes, Puglia organized crime stands out and confirms its top
position - although a decrease of 39.54% in 2011 was recorded - for the quantity of
heroin seized. Puglia ranks third on the national list (in 2010 it ranked 2nd), followed
by Campania that confirmed its 4th place notwithstanding a strong drop (-24.13%).
Moreover, Puglia ranks first for the quantity of marijuana seized (38.79% of the
national total quantity): in fact, 1,468.37 kg of this substance were seized at the Bari
seaport, and other 629.90 kg in Brindisi.
Thus, Puglia confirms to be a major crossroads for the drug supply or transit (above
all heroin, in transit from the “Balkan Route”, and marijuana , especially that produced
in Albania and having a very high active principle).
As a consequence, the Puglia-based organized crime is a sort of “service-providing
organization” for ‘Ndrangheta, Camorra and Cosa Nostra, acting as broker, in particular
with the Balkan ethnic groups, or simply supplying services and logistics which are
often rewarded with a profit sharing.
This feature also depends on the fact that the Puglia-based organized crime is
characterized by a frequent use of violence, a strong dynamism, resulting from a
lack of a stiff and stable hierarchical structure; these criminal rings have a fluid and
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versatile nature and their members are ready to establish illicit connections of every
kind, even occasional or provisional relations, with both Italian and foreign criminal
organizations, looking for mere profit without any interest in permanent alliances.
Money and business are the cement of these criminal organizations.
Investigations have revealed that these groups frequently use the method of the so-
called “puntate” (shares) in order to lower the costs of drug supply; it consists in a
sort of “capital sharing” with the participation of more clans belonging to the same
criminal organization or even of other criminal networks.
The numerous investigative cross matches identified during the investigations
conducted by the counter-narcotics authorities have proved the use of this method.
The statistical and operational analysis shows that the Italian drug scenario reflects
the wider global context, revealing a “criminal agreement” system with frequent,
numerous and functional connections both at national and international level. These
close ties are present among the traditional Mafia syndicates but also between these
latter and other Italian or foreign criminal networks, dealing with drug production or
being mere representatives or intermediaries.
Foreign organized crimeIn 2011, the number of foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority for drug-
related crimes (12,648) increased (+4.80%), in line with a constant upward trend
(+55% since 2003, when they were 8,189).
This trend has caused a quite relevant increase of the percentage incidence of foreign
nationals on the total number of persons reported to the Judicial Authority: from
30.87% in 2010 to 34.38% in 2011, showing the highest percentage ever recorded (in
1984 it was 5.42%).
In details, the foreign nationals represent 34.85% of the total number of subjects
reported under Art. 73 and 29.51% of those reported for criminal conspiracy to drug
trafficking.
The foreign organized crime, especially in the drug trafficking field, is a particularly
relevant phenomenon in Italy for a long time: these foreign criminal networks have
widespread and well-established branches all over the country. They have constantly
increased their number and their organizational structures, assuming multi-faceted
characteristics and strengthening their operational potentialities.
The first twelve ethnic groups for number of subjects reported to the Judicial Authority
are the same as in 2010: Moroccans, Tunisians, Albanians and Nigerians ranking in the
first four positions.
All the above-mentioned twelve nationalities have recorded an increase in the total
number of subjects reported to the Judicial Authority, except for the Albanians,
showing a drop of 19.96%.
Here below, the first three nationalities will be described (the Moroccans, Tunisians
and Albanians) since they represent
58.09% of the total number of foreign
nationals reported to the Judicial
Authority. As to the Dominican
Republic nationals, there was a
significant percentage rise (95.74%) ,
passing from the eleventh to the fifth
place in the list.
the moroccans ranked first in the
number of foreign nationals reported
to the Judicial Authority (3,289 equal
to 26% of the total ).
The Moroccan crime groups have the
control over the hashish trafficking
which follows the route crossing the
Strait of Gibraltar and then through
Spain and France. In 2011, 7,629
kg of hashish were seized, with an
increase of 43.94% with respect to
the previous year.
This nationality is mainly settled in
the North of Italy, in particular in
Foreigners reported to J.A. (2011)
2011 % Variation2010
type of offence
Illicit trafficking (art.73) 11,741 8.76
Conspiracy toillicit trafficking (art.74) 906 -28.89
Other offences 1 -
age
Of age 12,433 4.66
Minors 215 13.16
sex
Male 11,941 4.71
Female 707 6.32
age groups
< 15 13 -7.14
15 ÷ 19 735 1.24
20 ÷ 24 2,761 -1.64
25 ÷ 29 3,353 2.41
30 ÷ 34 2,643 15.77
35 ÷ 39 1,496 6.70
> 40 1,647 5.37
total 12,648 4.80
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Lombardia, where the Moroccan community is well-rooted in the social-economic
fabric and where 2,885 foreign nationals were reported to the Judicial Authority. Out
of them, 1,036 were Moroccans that is equal to 35.90%. They are also particularly
active in Toscana, with an incidence of 33%, Emilia Romagna 27% and in Veneto 24%.
In 2011, the tunisian crime groups showed an increase in the number of persons
reported to the Judicial Authority (+46%) ; they passed from the third to the second
place in the list of foreign nationals (2,365, equal to 18.69%). A remarkable increase
(+182.76%) in the number of persons reported to the Judicial Authority for criminal
conspiracy to drug trafficking was noticed.
This ethnic group is particularly involved in hashish trafficking: in 2011, 309.95 kg
were seized (+275.12% with respect to 2010). This fact particularly highlights the
organizational skills of these groups, which are able to make alliances with other
criminal networks and, at the same time, fight against rival groups.
As far as the presence of Tunisians in our country is concerned, Emilia Romagna (580
subjects reported to the Judicial Authority equal to 32.86% of the foreign nationals)
and Veneto (388 subjects, equal to 31.64%) are the regions showing the highest
number of involvement.
As to the albanians, 1,692 (equal to 13.37% of the total number of foreign nationals)
were reported to the Judicial Authority for drug-related offences, with a decrease of
20% with respect to 2010. The Albanians ranked first as to the number of subjects
reported to the Judicial Authority for criminal conspiracy to drug trafficking . The
Albanian criminal gangs are highly flexible and able to establish joint ventures
with other crime rings active along the Balkan route, in particular with the Turkish,
Bulgarians and Romanians.
The sphere of activity of the Albanian crime groups is above all in the North of Italy,
in particular in Lombardia, Toscana and Emilia Romagna, but also in Marche (+80.65%
of subjects reported) and Puglia (+37.50%).
Recent information have revealed that the Balkan route – which is still a strategic
channel for both heroin and acetic anhydride trafficking - is also used for the traffic
in cocaine. The countries located along this route, in particular Bulgaria and Romania,
respectively with the port of Constanta and Varna on the Black Sea, and Ukraine
with Odessa Port, have become a tangle of interests and of illicit poly-drug and
precursor trafficking. These ports are in fact also involved in South American cocaine
flow destined for the European markets. The Eastern criminal organizations, mainly
Albanian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian and Russian gangs, have renewed their
traditional agreements, dealing both with cocaine and heroin trafficking, using the
logistics of the Balkan European countries.
In 2011, 368 dominicans were reported to the Judicial Authority (+95.74%), and
124.48 kg of cocaine were seized from them, an increase of 57.16% with respect to
the previous year.
A higher involvement of these crime groups in cocaine trafficking was also noticed at
European level.
These foreign nationals are generally used as human couriers or cocaine pushers;
however, in 2011 data concerning the Dominicans reported for criminal conspiracy to
drug trafficking showed a significant increase of +586.67%.
Hispaniola (containing the two states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti), in the
Archipelago of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean sea, is one of the cocaine routes
connecting South America with North America and Europe. Along the coasts of this
island, the Dominicans take part in the transshipment operations of drug consignments
in transit to other countries.
The investigative activities have identified several Dominican crime groups operating
in Italy, above all in Sicilia, Lombardia, Liguria and Marche, having branches in South
America (Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Dutch Antilles)
and in Europe (Switzerland, Holland and Spain).
These groups are often linked to major criminal organizations but, at the same time,
they have an horizontal and not hierarchical structure. In other words, each group,
even though belonging to a specific criminal network, is quite autonomous and is not
stiffly and hierarchically dependent on major criminal organizations. These clans are
based on family ties: this is their real strength, allowing a higher flexibility and an
interchangeability of roles within the group.
Many different foreign criminal organizations share drug profits within our country,
mainly in areas where Mafia has a minor influence.
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s In fact, out of 12,648 foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority for drug-
related offences more than a half (54.33% with respect to 54.29% in 2010) were
concentrated in four Northern regions: Lombardia (1st position with 2,885), Emilia
Romagna (2nd position with 1,765), Veneto (4th position with 1,226) and Piemonte (5th
position with 996). Here the most involved foreign nationals were the Moroccans,
Albanians, Tunisians and Nigerians.
Particular mention must be made of Lazio (3rd position, with 1,409) with a national
incidence of 11.14%. As to Umbria, 445 foreign nationals were reported and if you
compare this value with the number of inhabitants, this region ranks first in the list
(in 2010, Umbria ranked 5th for the total number of Italian and foreign nationals being
affiliated to drug trafficking organizations). Marche, after Sicilia, has reported the
highest increase in the number of foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority
(+40.61%, Art. 73 and +91.11% , Art. 74). The rise recorded in these two regions
concerns above all the Dominicans.
On the contrary, Calabria, Campania, Puglia and Sicilia recorded, as in the previous
years, 6-7% of the total number of foreign nationals reported for violation of the
Drug Legislation, although in Puglia a rise of 22.49% was noticed and in Sicilia, with
383 foreign nationals reported (124 were from the Dominican Republic) there was an
increase of 94.42%.
However, the scenario described for the four above-mentioned Southern
regions, needs a specific explanation as far as the two main drug-related offences
are concerned.
In fact, the percentage of foreign nationals reported under art. 73 is 5.89% ( it is
stable with respect to 2010 when it was 5.78%, although there was an increase of
30.93% in Puglia and 58.56% in Sicilia), while the value regarding foreign nationals
reported under art. 74 is 29.70%. This last percentage has doubled (it was 14.13%
in 2010) thanks to a growth of 49.44% caused by a rise of 15.18% in Puglia and above
all, of 377.27% in Sicilia where, in particular, 49 Dominicans were reported for criminal
conspiracy to drug trafficking.
The investigative results show that even the major Italian Mafia-like organizations,
which are well-established in their territory, following the strengthening of counter-
narcotic measures, are forced to enhance their collaboration with other crime groups,
also foreign ones, in order to manage the illicit drug market in a more effective and
profitable way.
Italian organized crime is particularly attracted by the peculiarities of the numerous
foreign criminal rings: for example, the ability of the nigerians in importing large
quantities of cocaine and, to a lesser extent, heroin, invading the markets by means
of a myriad of human body-packers, having Nigerian nationality or coming from the
Baltic, Caucasian and South American regions.
As to the Serbians and montenegrins, they won their important role in the
international drug trafficking scenario since they only deal with huge quantities of
cocaine, taking all the risks connected to the transport and storage. In addition, they
supply cocaine with a high degree of purity since they do not cut it. Their cocaine has
also very competitive prices because they do not ask for any percentage on the retail
trafficking, avoiding all problems with the street pushers or with the medium-low level
traffickers and, at the same time, allowing the whole chain to gain profits.
The Serbian-Montenegrin organized crime, that is notable for its military-like structure
- many members belonged to paramilitary units - has already remarkably influenced
the maritime cocaine trafficking from South America.
They improved the smuggling techniques already experimented during the conflict
in Former Yugoslavia with the international embargo and have a strong capacity to
avoid the surveillance and counteracting systems used along the Atlantic Route and
its different variants.
Furthermore, they partly diversified the Atlantic routes (involving countries so far
used in a lesser degree such as Uruguay and South Africa), causing a gradual shift of
the core centre from Spain to the Balkan area. In fact, cocaine passing through the
Strait of Gibraltar enters the Mediterranean Sea reaching the ports of the Eastern
coast of the Adriatic Sea , in particular that of Bar in Montenegro. Once arrived in the
Balkans (in particular Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Croatia), cocaine is sorted out
all over Europe.
Investigations revealed that these crime groups are particularly active in Northern
Italy, especially in the area of Milano and also supply cocaine to the ‘Ndrangheta.
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Special attention should be given to the chinese criminal organizations, even though
from a statistical point of view, they do not seem to be particularly involved in drug
trafficking. However, there are clear indicators about their interest in new substances,
which are then distributed not only within their close milieu. The young Chinese gangs
are more and more aggressive and are exporting outside their boundaries illicit
activities such as drug dealing and prostitution.
The Chinese crime networks use well-consolidated licit and illicit patterns and routes
(traffic in clandestine workforce and counterfeit goods) and have very high sums of
money derived from their numerous and prosperous business. Moreover, it must be
pointed out that China is a major producer of synthetic drugs and precursors and is
now trying to enter the Italian illicit drug market: in particular, Chinese mainly deal
with ketamine, a veterinary anaesthetic predominantly produced in China.
In 2011, 13 kg of ketamine were seized, for a total quantity of approximately 72,000
doses (a dose is about 180 mg). Bologna (4.3 kg) and Padova (5.3 kg) are the provinces
were the main seizures of this substance were carried out.
Mephedrone is another product used as narcotic drug and mainly smuggled by the
Chinese. This substance is a fertilizer and is now considered a stimulant, of the same
category as phenethylamines, a mixture of amphetamines and MDMA, having almost
the same effects.
Moreover, it must be highlighted that the Chinese community, although mainly
concentrated in Central and Northern Italy, in recent years has significantly grown
in the South of our country, in particular in Campania (above all in the province of
Napoli). It penetrated the economic and entrepreneurial fabric, establishing strong
connections with Camorra clans in the sector of production, transport and distribution
of counterfeit goods. Moreover, in the Port of Napoli the business volume with the
Far East has significantly increased (in particular, with China): this fact must not be
underestimated in the light of possible developments in the drug trafficking field.
Finally, also the Roma nomadic people crime deserves special attention, since they
have lately raised the level of their involvement also in important criminal organizations,
in close connection with Italian and foreign crime rings.
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Abruzzo
Basilic
ataCala
bria
Campan
iaEmilia
Romagn
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Friuli
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Giulia
Lazio
Liguria
Lombar
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Valle d
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383
13025
6
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2,885
784
1,409
111
1,765
273
498191
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Tren
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Valle
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27.08
10.04
55.10
32.66
26.96
7.71
7.97
6.37
23.63
3.74
30.80
31.94
49.88
27.56
9.38
44.31
4.79
2.44
1.34
15.13
In absolute terms, foreign drug trafficking groups are mostly active in Lombardia,
Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Veneto and Piemonte. On the whole, data pertaining to these
regions have an incidence of 65.47% on the national estimates.
In relative terms, the number of foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority,
covering a sample of 100,000 inhabitants, reveals relevant data in Umbria. In this
region there is a progressive Mafia penetration and is considered a “land to conquer”
by both Italian and foreign crime groups.
Also in Liguria the number of foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority
in relation to the population is very high. This phenomenon is connected with its
Country
Abr
uzzo
Bas
ilica
ta
Cal
abri
a
Cam
pani
a
Em
ilia
Rom
agna
Friu
li V.
Giu
lia
Laz
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Lig
uria
Lom
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Mar
che
Mol
ise
Piem
onte
Pugl
ia
Sard
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Sici
lia
Tosc
ana
Tren
tino
A. A
dige
Um
bria
Valle
d’A
osta
Vene
to
2011
% V
aria
tion
2010
Morocco 83 2 10 42 481 15 195 221 1,036 74 9 264 20 32 31 312 74 89 1 298 3,289 1.39
Tunisia 4 - 2 22 580 5 163 160 331 115 1 51 2 2 81 190 95 172 1 388 2,365 46.35
Albania 51 1 3 12 233 22 126 102 284 112 - 71 165 8 12 196 51 100 2 141 1,692 -19.96
Nigeria 8 - - 51 146 6 106 37 45 30 - 138 4 32 4 19 - 22 - 164 812 2.40
Dominican Rep. 6 - - - 12 3 14 39 82 39 - 6 1 124 20 2 - - 20 368 95.74
Romania 10 2 9 12 42 14 94 10 46 13 - 20 8 3 12 19 4 19 2 29 368 16.46
Senegal 7 - 1 2 20 42 41 55 2 - 148 2 1 - 8 - - - 5 334 9.15
Algeria 1 - - 23 47 1 33 15 36 6 - 8 3 - 8 23 9 10 - 26 249 10.18
Spain 2 - 3 1 12 - 89 20 53 1 - 5 1 9 20 21 1 1 2 6 247 4.66
Gambia - - - - - - 70 1 155 - - 6 2 3 - - - - - - 237 13.94
Egypt 1 - - 6 10 1 32 7 159 5 - 2 - - 1 4 1 2 - 1 232 0.87
Gabon - - - - - - 1 12 - - - 138 - - - 1 - - - - 152 -12.64
Colombia - - 6 - 10 5 13 10 30 3 - 3 8 13 2 1 - - 3 107 9.18
France - 1 2 4 6 - 8 18 20 1 13 1 4 15 5 - 2 - 5 105 -1.87
Brazil 1 - - 3 2 2 20 3 42 2 - 3 2 2 3 9 1 7 - - 102 29.11
Other Countries 17 2 13 95 164 37 403 88 511 51 1 120 37 34 59 114 68 31 4 140 1,989 -6.79
Total 191 8 49 273 1,765 111 1,409 784 2,885 453 12 996 256 130 383 943 307 455 12 1,226 12,648 4.80
geographical position along one of the hashish routes, coming from Morocco, via
Spain and France.
The regions reporting a minor incidence in this sector are the Southern regions where
even the street pushing is controlled by the local criminal organizations.
Moreover, Moroccan groups are mostly concentrated in the regions Lombardia, Emilia
Romagna, Toscana and Veneto; Albanian groups are mainly settled in Lombardia,
Emilia Romagna and Toscana; Tunisians are active above all in Emilia Romagna,
Veneto and Lombardia while Nigerian clans are active in Veneto, Emilia Romagna and
Piemonte.
Foreigners reported the J.A. at regional level - as compared to 100,000 inhabitants
Foreigners reported the J.A. at regional level 2011 (absolute value)
Foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority (top 15 nationalities) - regional subdivision (2011)
Foreign naTionaLS rePorTed To THe JUdiciaL aUTHoriTY - regionaL diSTriBUTion
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Foreign naTionaLS rePorTed To THe JUdiciaL aUTHoriTY - ProVinciaL diSTriBUTion
Milano, Roma and Torino, are the most affected provinces with regard to foreign groups involved in drug trafficking. On the
contrary, the provinces of Enna, Caltanissetta, Vibo Valentia, Oristano and Isernia have recorded only a negligible presence
of these groups. A quite high number of reports is also recorded in the provinces of Perugia (where
the University for Foreigners is located), Bologna,
Padova, Varese, Bergamo and
Brescia.
According to macro areas,
the analysis of data
pertaining to foreign
nationals reported to the
Judicial Authority carried
out in 2010, revealed that the
North of Italy is in the lead
with 63.93%, followed by Central
Italy with 25.77% and by the South of
Italy and islands with 10.29%.
Catanzaro 19Cosenza 7Crotone 10
Reggio Calabria 12Vibo Valentia 1
Agrigento 30 Palermo 231Caltanissetta 0 Ragusa 59
Catania 21 Siracusa 14Enna 0 Trapani 16
Messina 12
Avellino 2Benevento 5
Caserta 80Napoli 168
Salerno 18
Matera 3Potenza 5
Campobasso 10Isernia 2
Cagliari 48Nuoro 5
Oristano 2Sassari 75
Arezzo 40 Massa 58Firenze 293 Pisa 154
Grosseto 47 Pistoia 34Livorno 87 Prato 126
Lucca 61 Siena 43
Genova 448Imperia 102
La Spezia 123Savona 111
Alessandria 114Asti 14
Biella 18Cuneo 47
Novara 23Torino 738
Verbania 27Vercelli 15
Aosta 12
Bolzano 113Trento 194
Belluno 5 Venezia 258Padova 460 Verona 214Rovigo 37 Vicenza 123Treviso 129
Perugia 397Terni 58
Frosinone 16Latina 39
Rieti 15Roma 1,271
Viterbo 68
Bologna 646 Piacenza 69Ferrara 129 Ravenna 148
Forlì 74 Reggio Emilia 181Modena 198 Rimini 186
Parma 134
L’Aquila 81 Pescara 45Chieti 29 Teramo 36
Bari 92 Foggia 13Barletta Andra Trani 10 Lecce 121
Brindisi 8 Taranto 12
Ancona 253 Macerata 98Ascoli Piceno 43 Pesaro 41
Fermo 18
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
LazioAbruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
10.29%
25.77%
63.93%
ce n t r a l ita ly
so u t h e r n i ta ly/i s l a n d s
no r t h e r n ita ly
acco rdin g to macro a reas
Bergamo 356 Lecco 23 Monza-Brianza 58Brescia 340 Lodi 40 Pavia 43
Como 150 Mantova 31 Sondrio 32Cremona 80 Milano 1,365 Varese 367
Gorizia 14Pordenone 27
Trieste 25Udine 45
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- introduction
- dr ug operations - dr ug se izures
- persons repor ted to the jud ic ial authority
- cocaine
- heroin
- cannabis
- synthetic dr ugs
- general table of dr ug operations, se izures and persons repor ted to the jud ic ial authority
NATIONAL COUNTER-NARCOTICS ACTIVITIES
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INTROdUCTIONIn the framework of transnational connections, drug trafficking is one of the most globalized
phenomena. The drug multinational corporations, entrenched all over the world, move the
illicit substances through a complex network of smuggling routes originating from the
source Countries to the consumption areas, attracted by the high profits deriving from
these illicit activities. Our Country - where many powerful Italian and foreign criminal
organizations are active in this sector – is a major European transit point and a consumer
area. Nonetheless very small cannabis crops were detected in Italy.
The analysis of DCSA data pertaining to 2011 - mainly referring to the drug operations,
the persons reported to the Judicial Authority and the drug seizures - highlighted the
following aspects:
- drug demand and supply were still high, notwithstanding the effective counternarcotics
activity, in cooperation with Customs Authorities;
- the heroin seizures recorded a decline of 14.09% , with respect to the previous year;
- the cocaine seizures showed a significant increase of 65.12%;
- as to the synthetic drugs: a strong decrease in amphetamines (-77.43%) as well as in
L.S.D. (-82.89%) was noticed .
Moreover, with respect to the previous year, the following can be noticed:
-marijuana seizures almost doubled (+98.15%) and a slight increase of hashish ( +0.22%);
-increase of drug operations (+4.19%) and a decrease of the number of persons reported
to the Judicial Authority (-5.84%);
-the number of the foreign nationals reported to the Judicial Authority increased (+4.80%).
As a matter of fact, the enforcement efforts reached high levels of commitment and
culminated in the seizure of a total quantity of 39,359 kilograms of drugs (+25.94%) and
to the report of 36,796 persons (-5.84%), of which 12,648 were foreign nationals(+4.80%)
and 1,175 minors (+2.44%).
dRUG OPERATIONSIn 2011, there were 23,103 drug operations , with a rise of 4.19% with respect to
2010, pointing out the constant commitment of our local law enforcement authorities
in this specific field.
Moreover, these operations only referred to the criminal offences without considering
the violations and the administrative sanctions.
The above-mentioned operations involved all types of drugs whose trafficking and
trade is prohibited by law.
TEN-YEAR TRENd OF THE OPERATIONS
Since 2002, the number of drug operations has always been around 20,000 per
year, peaking in 2009 with 23,272 operations and reaching the lowest level in
2003, with 18,495 operations. This discrepancy should be considered in the light
of the numerous legislative amendments made, aimed at focusing the attention
on the most serious crimes in order to hit the top levels of the illicit trafficking
organizations.
0
6,250
12,500
18,750
25,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
23,10322,17423,27223,16722,16520,77619,87718,74518,495
20,703
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REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION - dRUG OPERATIONS
Lombardia with a total of 3,768 operations, is in the lead as absolute value with respect to the other regions, followed by Lazio (2,862), Campania (2,265),
Emilia Romagna (1,912), Sicilia (1,628) and Puglia (1,612).
The lowest levels were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (46) and Molise (108).
Considering 2010, a remarkable increase of drug operations were recorded in Lazio (20.86%), Puglia (16.73%) and Marche (16.50%).
In Basilicata (-27.84%) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (-26.56%) were recorded the most evident decreases.
Considering the situation according to macro areas, in 2011, operations were
mostly performed in the North of
Italy (43.68%), followed by the
Southern regions and islands
(33.12%) and by Central Italy
(23.20%).
acco rdin g to macro a reas
ce n t r a l ita ly
southern italy and islands
23.20%33.12%
no r t h e r n ita ly
43.68%
46 3,768
4231,473 282
1,912
1,316 871
1,365
420
713
2,862
741
497
2.265
1081,612
140
6611,628
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
LombardiaFriuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
UmbriaMarche
Lazio Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
997.89
39.00
10,907.88
20,257.57
810.93
6,346.30
748.49
50.29
5,504.96
20,212.44
943.883,843.47
16,153
16,573
1,008,228
6,39674,913
72,538
dRUG SEIZURESIn 2011, increases of cocaine (+65.12%), hashish (+0.22%), marijuana (+98.15%) and
cannabis plants (exceptional rise of 1,289.93%) seizures were recorded, with respect
to the previous year. On the contrary, there was a drop in the seizures of heroin
(-14.09%), of amphetamines (-77.43%) and L.S.D. (-82.89%). On the whole, in 2011,
39,359.57 kilograms of drugs were seized. In quantitative terms, the most remarkable
seizure occurred in Ardea/Rome, in August (2,632 kilograms of hashish).
As to the market of minor drugs, the following seizures were also carried out: 866.903
kilograms of khat; 61.00 kilograms of benzodiazepines, 13.21 kilograms and 43.75
litres of GBL, 13.04 kilograms, 2.24 litres and 158 doses of ketamine.
The drug traffickers active in Italy are mostly supplied by the Colombian market for
cocaine, via Mexico, Spain, Holland, Brazil and Dominican Republic; by the Afghan
market for heroin, via Greece and Turkey; by the Moroccan market for hashish, via
Spain and France and by the Dutch market for the synthetic drugs. Also marijuana has
mainly reached Italy from the Netherlands.
In Italy, the most relevant drug trafficking activities were operated by the following
organized crime groups:
- for cocaine: above all, the ‘Ndrangheta, then the Camorra and the Albanian,
Colombian, Dominican, Moroccan and Spanish crime groups;
- for heroin: the Sicilian, Puglia and Campania-based crime groups together with
Albanian, Tunisian and Moroccan organizations;
- for cannabis derivatives: the Lazio, Puglia-based and Sicilian criminal networks,
along with the Moroccan, Tunisian, Spanish and Albanian groups.
ten-year trend of the drug seizures
The year 2002 stood out for exceptional drug seizures (more than 50 tonnes), while
since 2003 these values have shown fluctuations below 50 tonnes, but never below 26
tonnes and the lowest figures were recorded in 2004 (26,463 kg). These remarkable
quantities were mainly due to the seizures of cannabis derivatives that were introduced
by drug traffickers of several ethnic origins into the Italian ports, often together with
illegal immigrants. In the last few years, except for 2008, the seizures have been
stable and amounted to about 32,000 kilograms.
10.00
0
15.00
0
8.000
12.00
0 14.00
0
20.00
0
18.00
0
16.00
0
21.00
0
19.00
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2010 2011
0
15,000
30,000
45,000
60,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
39,360
31,25334,122
42,740
31,95533,21431,63526,463
46,94552,223
Drug seizures 2010/2011
Number
Kilograms
Cocaine Heroin Hashish Marijuana Syntheticdrugs
Otherdrugs
Cannabis plants Synthetic drugs Other drugs
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REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION - dRUG SEIZURES
Lazio, with a total quantity of 7,945 kilograms of drugs seized, is in the lead as absolute value with respect to the other regions, followed by
Lombardia (7,633), Puglia (4,625), Liguria (4,186), Toscana (3,279) and Piemonte (2,483).
The lowest levels were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (6) and Molise (9).
With respect to 2010, a significant increase of seizures was recorded in Marche (+935.07%) and Lazio (+307.18%).
The most significant percentage drops were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (-92.72%) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (-80.94%).
The analysis of the drug seizures carried out in 2011 according to macro areas,
revealed that the North of Italy is in
the lead with 43.35% of the total
seizures, followed by Central
Italy with 32.11% and by the
South of Italy and islands with
24.54%.
6 7,633 1,559 38
983
2,483 4,186
3,279
552
861
7,945
1,109
122
1,459
94,625
181
1,328825
175
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
32.11%24.54%
43.35%
ce n t r a l ita ly
southern italy and islands
no r t h e r n ita ly
acco rdin g to macro a reas
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drug seizures made in customs areas
As to the main types of narcotic drugs, you will find here below the quantities of drugs
seized in 2011 in border areas, in particular:
- heroin: 142.95 kg seized in customs areas, of which 39.85% at maritime borders,
59.68% at air borders and only 0.47% at land borders;
- cocaine: 4,893.08 kg seized in customs areas, of which 82.25% at maritime borders,
16.81% at air borders and 0.94% at land borders;
- hashish: 2,962.54 kg seized in customs areas, of which 83.61% at maritime borders,
10.78% at land borders and 5.61% at air borders;
Cocainekg
Heroinkg
Hashishkg
Marijuanakg
Synthetic drugs Other drugs
2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 20112010 2011 2010 2011
kg Number kg Number kg Number kg Number
Air borders 763.84 822.51 41.17 85.31 91.15 166.17 30.05 7.89 4.38 233 2.00 636 354.27 120 785.70 1,224
Maritime borders 1,331.44 4,024.34 107.46 56.97 7,520.10 2,476.87 732.07 2,610.77 - 9 - 632 - 19 - 815
Land borders 45.54 46.23 0.01 0.67 166.14 319.49 77.28 10.21 0.09 287 0.04 27 73.83 528 0.23 7
Total 2,140.81 4,893.08 148.63 142.95 7,777.40 2,962.54 839.40 2,628.87 4.47 529 2.04 1,295 428.10 667 785.93 2,046
- marijuana: 2,628.87 kg seized in customs areas, of which 99.31% at maritime
borders, 0.39% at land borders and 0.30% at air borders.
The comparison of 2011 values with those of the previous year, highlighted a rise
(3.85%) of the seizures made at land borders and a strong increase (45.51%) of those
made at airports, while there was a drop (- 5.39%) of seizures occurred at maritime
areas.
0
2.500,00
5.000,00
7.500,00
10.000,00
Air borders Maritime borders Land borders
2010 2011
Seizures of main drugs 2010/2011
1,2
84
.85
1,8
69.
58 9,
168
.95
9,6
91.0
7
376
.86
362
.88
Maritime borders
Total seizures of main drugs 2010/2011
Percentage distribution of seizures according to the Type of border (2011)
Air borders
Land borders
80.33%
16.37%
3.30%
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air borders
In the course of 2011, major drug seizures were recorded in the following airports:
Leonardo Da Vinci- Fiumicino/Rome Airport (1,000.76 kilograms), Malpensa/Varese
Airport (556.17 kilograms), and Linate Milan Airport (84.28 kilograms).However, the
most remarkable seizures of the main drugs (cocaine, heroin, hashish and marijuana)
were still made at Malpensa Airport.
to
caselle (to) airportHashish kg 0.04 Marijuana kg 0.01
bsva
mi
linate (mi) airportCocaine kg 72.43 Marijuana kg 0.03Hashish kg 0.29
malpensa (va) airportCocaine kg 461.71 Hashish kg 38.50Heroin kg 49.35 Marijuana kg 0.28
orio al serio (bg) airportCocaine kg 9.98 Hashish kg 37.07Heroin kg 0.48 Marijuana kg 0.34g. d’annunzio (bs) airportHashish kg 0.05
bg
villafranca (vr) airportCocaine kg 8.65 Marijuana kg 0.01Hashish kg 0.03marco polo (ve) airportCocaine kg 7.09 Hashish kg 1.14Heroin kg 11.68 Marijuana kg 0.05
ve
vr
bog. marconi (bo) airport
Cocaine kg 8.16 Hashish kg 17.76Heroin kg 1.85
pifi
a. vespucci (fi) airportCocaine kg 1.17 Marijuana kg 0.02Hashish kg 0.02g. gallilei (pi) airportCocaine kg 1.70 Marijuana kg 0.04Hashish kg 21.25
fiumicino (rm) airportCocaine kg 247.55 Hashish kg 32.40Heroin kg 21.28 Marijuana kg 7.25ciampino (rm) airportCocaine kg 1.94 Hashish kg 10.05
na
costa smeralda (ss) airportMarijuana kg 0.01fertilia (ss) airportCocaine kg 0.82 Hashish kg 1.70Heroin kg 0.12cagliari elmas (ca) airportHeroin kg 0.55 Marijuana kg 0.01Hashish kg 2.14
ss
ca
falconara (an) airport
Cocaine kg 0.60 Hashish kg 1.01
an
s. egidio (pg) airport
Marijuana kg 0.01
pg
falcone borsellino (pa) airportCocaine kg 0.01 Marijuana kg 0.10Hashish kg 0.58birgi (tp) airportHashish kg 2.11
fontanarossa (ct) airportCocaine kg 0.70Marijuana kg 0.01
tppa
capodichino (na) airport
Hashish kg 0.04Marijuana kg 0.01
br
brindisi (br) airport
Hashish kg 0.02Marijuana kg 0.04
ct
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mARITImE BORdERS
In 2011, the largest drug seizures were recorded at the Ports of Genova (2,292.71
kilograms), Bari/BA (1,508.35 kilograms), Livorno (1,249.15 kilograms) and Gioia Tauro
(1,082.51 kilograms of cocaine). In particular, the most remarkable seizures of cocaine
were made at the Port of Gioia Tauro, while the Port of Bari ranked first for heroin (40
kilograms) and marijuana seizures (1,468.37 kilograms)and that of Genova for hashish
seizures (1,886 kilograms).
port of venezia (ve)Heroin kg 12.23 Hashish kg 0.03
ve
rmport of civitavecchia (rm)Cocaine kg 14.32 Hashish kg 184.35Marijuana kg 0.58
naport of alghero (ss)Cocaine kg 503.10
port of isola bianca (ss)Cocaine kg 0.94 Hashish kg 85.39Marijuana kg 0.61 Marijuana kg 0.61port of porto torres (ss)Cocaine kg 5.06 Hashish kg 13.97Heroin kg 2.78 Marijuana kg 4.94port of golfo aranci (ss)Heroin kg 1.06
ss
ca
port of ancona (an)Marijuana kg 505.56
an
port of trapani (tp)Hashish kg 0.32
port of palermo (pa)Cocaine kg 1.00 Hashish kg 2.11
tppa
port of napoli (na)Cocaine kg 15.235
br
rc
port of gioia tauro (rc)Cocaine kg 1,082.51
port of genova (ge)Cocaine kg 405.47 Hashish kg 1,886.65Marijuana kg 0.60 port of la spezia (sp)Cocaine kg 974.00
port of vado ligure (sv)Cocaine kg 4.10
spsv
ge
ba
port of bari (ba)Heroin kg 39.99 Marijuana kg 1,468.37
port of brindisi (br)Marijuana kg 629.90
port of la maddalena (ss)Cocaine kg 0.04port of olbia (ss)Cocaine kg 0.48 Hashish kg 69.65Marijuana kg 0.05
port of arbatax (nu)Heroin kg 0.90port of cagliari (ca)Cocaine kg 2.33 Hashish kg 1.00
nu
port of messina (me)Hashish kg 0.01
port of catania (ct)Hashish kg 0.02
Marijuana kg 0.02
ct
me
port of livorno (li)Cocaine kg 1,015.77 Hashish kg 233.32Marijuana kg 0.07port of piombino (li)Hashish kg 0.05 Marijuana kg 0.09
port of potoferraio (li)Hashish kg 0.01
li
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to
border post frejus ffss (to)Cocaine kg 1.10
co
LANd BORdERS
In 2011, major drug seizures were recorded at the following land border posts: the
border post Autofiori (316.68 kg), the highway border post at Vipiteno/Bolzano (44.08
kilograms) and the Brogeda border post (6.97 kg).
The most remarkable seizures of hashish were made at the Autofiori border post
(311.38 kg); of cocaine at Vipiteno/Bolzano (37.04 kg) and of hashish at Brogeda
border post (5.59 kg).
vb
border post domodossola (vb)Cocaine kg 0.42
border post domodossola ffss (vb)Cocaine kg 2.75 Hashish kg 0.04Marijuana kg 0.10
so
border post brogeda (co)Cocaine kg 0.30 Hashish kg 5.59Marijuana kg 0.90
border post ponte chiasso (co)Cocaine kg 0.06 Hashish kg 0.61Marijuana kg 0.34
border post ponte chiasso ffss (co)Cocaine kg 0.01 Hashish kg 1.85Marijuana kg 0.38
border post villa di chiavenna (so)Marijuana kg 0.12
bz
highway berder post vipiteno (bz)Cocaine kg 37.34 Hashish kg 0.03Marijuana kg 7.01
ts
border post noghere (ts)Heroin kg 0.01
im
border post autofiori (im)Cocaine kg 3.94 Hashish kg 311.38Marijuana kg 1.36
border post ventimiglia ffss (im)Cocaine kg 0.62Heroin kg 0.66
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In 2011, 36,796 persons were reported to the Judicial Authority, with a decrease of
5.84% with respect to the previous year.
24,148 cases regarded Italian nationals (65.63%) and 12,648 foreign nationals
(34.37%). The incidence of women and minors was respectively of 8.49% and 3.19%.
In details, there was a drop in the reports for cocaine-related offences (-5.16%) and
for marijuana-related offences (-17.60%),while there was a rise as to cannabis plants-
related offences (+2.24%) and for synthetic drugs-related offences (+30.79%). As to
heroin (+0.53%) and hashish (+4.70%) a slight increase was reported.
The substance resulting in the highest number of reports was cocaine (13,062 cases),
followed by hashish (8,535), heroin (6,808), marijuana (5,211) and cannabis plants
(1,416).
TYPE OF OFFENCE
As to the type of offence, 36,796 persons were reported to the Judicial Authority,
of which 28,552 were arrested (-2.13% if compared to 2010). 3,070 cases regarded
conspiracy to illicit drug trafficking thus showing the strong and constant attention of
the counter-narcotic services towards the organised crime sector.
TEN-YEAR TRENd
In the time-frame under consideration, the persons reported to the Judicial Authority
but not arrested for drug-related offences exceeded the number of 30,000, except
for 2003, when the reports slightly dropped (29,580). The high number of reports
for violations of the Drugs Act, as well as the stable trend, prove the effective and
continuous counter-narcotic action.
0
9,500
19,000
28,500
38,000
403,070
33,686
154,071
34,992 2010 2011
Illicit trafficking(Art. 73)
Conspiracy to traffickingArt. 74)
Other offences
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
36,79639,078
36,51535,43635,47633,12831,63631,48429,580
33,184
2011 % Variation2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 33,686 -3.73conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 3,070 -24.59other offences 40 166.67
age
of age 35,621 -6.09 minors 1,175 2.44
sex
male 33,673 -5.70 female 3,123 -7.27
national ity
Italians 24,148 -10.59foreigners 12,648 4.80
age groups
< 15 45 7.1415 ÷ 19 3,521 -2.6320 ÷ 24 7,510 -8.3925 ÷ 29 7,377 -9.6130 ÷ 34 6,347 -3.7535 ÷ 39 4,468 -7.55> 40 7,528 -1.39Total 36,796 -5.84
Persons reported according to type of report, offence and age groups
PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
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ce n t r a l ita ly
s o u t h e r n ita ly/i s l a n d s
22.82%
no r t h e r n ita ly
41.96%
according to macro areas
REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION - PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
Lombardia, with a total number of 5,423 subjects involved in drug trafficking, is in the lead as absolute value in comparison with the other regions,
followed by Lazio (4,219) , Campania (3,613), Emilia Romagna (3,186) and Sicilia (3,056).
The lowest values were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (63) and Basilicata (243).
As compared to 2010, a remarkable increase of reports to the Judicial Authority was noticed in Valle d’Aosta (43.18%) and Marche (31.03%).
The most significant percentage drops were recorded
in Trentino Alto Adige (-79.00%)
and Friuli Venezia Giulia
(-33.96%).
Analysing the macro-
areas, the subjects
reported to the Judicial
Authority are subdivided
as follows: 41.96% in the
North of Italy, 35.22% in
the South and islands and
22.82% in Central Italy.
35.22%
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Illicit trafficking (Art. 73)
Legend
Conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74)Other offences
1.069184
11.254
63--
63
1.90165
-1.966
5.00938826
5.423
2.10836
-2.144
3.022160
43.186
475121
488
2.17514
-2.189
651213
675
3.901318
-4.219
647133
-780
1.37773
-1.450
3.263350
-3.613
2.687369
-3.056
1.064124
-1.188
89196
-987
2.078356
12.435
849343
-1.192
23274
243
22421
-245
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WOmEN REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
Women reported to the Judicial Authority in 2011 were 3,123, of them 2,189 were
arrested, i.e. 8.49% of the total reports at national level, with a decrease of 7.27%,
with respect to the same period of the previous year. Among them, 707 women were
foreigners, in particular Nigerians,Romanians, Dominicans and Moroccans.
The prevailing age group was >= 40 years’ old, with 817 cases.
87.35% of cases regarded the offence of illicit trafficking and 12.10% that of conspiracy
to drug trafficking.
In the last decade, the reports against women peaked in 2010 and set their minimum
level in 2003.
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
3,1233,3683,1803,0993,2093,0862,9792,9342,8713,026
2011 Variation% 2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 2,728 -8.49
conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 378 -1.31
other offences 17 325.00
age
of age 3,042 -8.04
minors 81 35.00
national ity
Italian 2,416 -10.62
other 707 6.32
Total 3,123 -7.27
Nationality of women reported to the judicial Authority in 2011
Italian 2,416 -10.62
Nigerian 96 12.94
Romanian 94 27.03
Dominican 75 134.38
Morroccan 63 40.00
Albanian 43 2.38
Other nationality 336 -13.18
To t a l 3,123 -7.27
0
875
1,750
2,625
3,500
17378
2,728
4383
2,981
2010 2011
Illicit trafficking (Art. 73)
Conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74)
other offences
Women reported to the J.A. 2011
Women reported to the judicial Authority according to the type of offence
Women - ten-year trend
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REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF WOmEN REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
Campania, with a total number of 397 women involved in drug trafficking, is in the lead as absolute value in comparison with the other regions, followed
by Lombardia (378) , Lazio (336), Emilia Romagna (245) and Sicilia (229).
The lowest values were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (5) and Basilicata (22).
As compared to 2010, a remarkable increase of reports to the Judicial Authority was noticed in Marche (72.62%) and Basilicata (22.22%).
The most significant percentage drops were recorded in Trentino Alto Adige (-83.33%)
and Sardegna (-20.72%).
Analysing the macro-areas, the
women reported to the Judicial
Authority are subdivided as
follows: 38.52% in the South
and islands, 37.75% in the
North of Italy and 23.73% in
Central Italy.
23.73%
38.52%
37.75%
5 378 166 63
245
144 129
191
69
145
336
88
153
397
37185
22
92229
49
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
ce n t r a l ita ly
s o u t h e r n ita ly/i s l a n d s
no r t h e r n ita ly
acco rdin g to macro a reas
na
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0
375
750
1,125
1,500
110
1,164
014
1,133
mINORS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
Minors reported to the Judicial Authority in 2011 were 1,175 , out of them 776 were
arrested i.e. 3.19% of the total reports at national level, with an increase of 2.44%,
with respect to the same period of the previous year. Out of the total of reports, 45
subjects were 14 years’ old. As shown in the following table, the reports constantly
increase as the subjects reach the legal age . Among the minors reported, 215 were
foreigners, in particular, Tunisians and Moroccans.
As to the type of offence, 1,164 minors were reported for illicit drug trafficking and 10
for conspiracy to illicit drug trafficking.
In the last decade, the reports against minors peaked in 2002 and reached their
minimum level in 2007.
2010 2011
0
400
800
1,200
1,600
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
1,1751,1471,1621,1301,0371,046
1,2041,1421,049
1,382
National i ty
Age
14 15 16 17 Total % Variation 2010
Italian 32 139 291 498 960 0.31
Tunisian 1 3 12 35 51 537.50
Moroccan 2 3 12 20 37 12.12
Albanian 1 1 7 14 23 -8.00
Gabonese 3 7 6 4 20 -25.93
Romanian 1 2 5 8 16 23.08
Senegalese 2 1 6 5 14 75.00
Ecuadorean 1 1 5 7 133.33
Algerian 1 1 2 - 4 100.00
Polish 1 1 2 4 300.00
Other nationality 2 5 15 17 39 -44.29
To t a l 45 164 358 608 1.175 2.44
Minors - ten-year trend
Minors reported to the judicial Authority according to the Type of offence
Nationality of foreign Minors reported to the J.A. (top 10) in 2011
Illicit trafficking (Art. 73)
Conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74)
other offences
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REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF mINORS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
Lazio, with a total number of 166 minors involved in drug trafficking, is in the lead as absolute value in comparison with the other regions,
followed by Sicilia (148) , Lombardia (131), Campania (108), Puglia (105) and Piemonte (85).
The lowest values were recorded in Valle d’Aosta (0) and Basilicata (5).
As compared to 2010, a remarkable increase of reports to the Judicial Authority was noticed in Lazio (66%) and Sardegna (54.55%).
The most significant percentage drops were recorded in Trentino Alto Adige (-56.25%) and Toscana (-35.80%).
Analysing the macro-areas, the minors reported to the Judicial Authority are
subdivided as follows: 40% in the South
and islands, 36.94% in the North
of Italy and 23.06% in Central
Italy.
60,00%)
60,00%)
23.06%
40.00%
36.94%
0 131 5527
60
85 48
52
17
36
166
51
26
108
7105
5
20148
28
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Puglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
ce n t r a l ita lys o u t h e r n ita ly/i s l a n d s
no r t h e r n ita ly
acco rdin g to macro a reas
na
tion
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the reports to the Judicial Authority were 13,062, while 6,346.30 kilograms of cocaine
were seized.
Of 13,062 persons reported for cocaine-related offences, 1,174 (8.99%) were women
and 163 (1.25%) were minors. The foreign nationals involved were 5,072, corresponding
to 38.83% out of the total of subjects reported for cocaine-related offences.
As to the type of crime, 85.27% regarded the illicit trafficking and 14.71% the most
serious offence of criminal conspiracy to drug trafficking.
The cocaine seized during the drug operations was mainly discovered strapped to the
person (412), inside houses (308), in corpore (181), inside luggage (109) and inside
parcels (60).
The most significant cocaine seizures carried out in Italy in 2011 occurred in Livorno
(1,015.00 kg), La Spezia (974.00 kg) and Gioia Tauro (519.62 kg).
The Italian market was mainly fuelled by the Colombian cocaine that reached our
Country through several routes. In particular, in 2011, the main transit Countries for
cocaine destined for Italy were the Dominican Republic, Chile and Honduras.
COCAINEData represented in the tables below only refer to cocaine operations and persons
reported to the Judicial Authorities for cocaine-related offences.
In 2011, in Italy the operations (-2.48%) for cocaine-related offences slightly decreased
as well as the reports (-5.16%). However, there was a significant rise in the seizures
(+65.12%), thus confirming the last years trend indicating a steady demand for this
substance. Moreover, many of these seizures can be related to cocaine shipments in
transit through our country.
On the whole, in 2011, the operations to combat cocaine trafficking were 6,952 and
2011 % Variation 2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 11,138 -3.14
conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 1,922 -15.44
other offences 2 -
age
of age 12,899 -5.17
minors 163 -4.12
sex
male 11,888 -5.34
female 1,174 -3.29
national ity
Italian 7,990 -5.49
other 5,072 -4.63
age groups
< 15 12 50.00
15 ÷ 19 661 -9.45
20 ÷ 24 2,285 -9.11
25 ÷ 29 2,684 -8.15
30 ÷ 34 2,436 -6.31
35 ÷ 39 1,818 -2.15
> 40 3,166 0.83
Total 13,062 -5.16
Persons reported to the J.A. for cocaine - related offences (2011)
Cocaine source countries (kg seized) 2011
0
375
750
1,125
1,500
60708390113129158
1,017
1,2491,311
Co
lom
bia
Do
min
ican
Re
p.
Ch
ile
Bra
zil
Ve
ne
zual
a
Ecu
ado
r
Ho
nd
ura
s
Arg
en
tin
a
Gre
ece
Co
sta
Ric
a
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
oti
cs a
ctiv
itie
s - c
on
ten
ts
The drug operations which led, on the same occasion, to the seizure of different
substances – including cocaine – were 7,962. As a result, 15,929 persons were
reported to the Judicial Authority.
The foreign nationals who were mostly involved in cocaine-related offences came
from Albania, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia.
0
2,250
4,500
6,750
9,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
6,9527,1297,4157,4217,1096,4826,440
5,8875,1344,790
0
3,750
7,500
11,250
15,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
13,06213,77213,57013,30313,19012,70512,18211,837
9,5029,406
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
6,346
3,8434,0984,1353,9354,6394,383
3,5893,5394,042
Operations
Seizures (kilograms)
Persons reported to the J.A.
Seizure of 974 kg of cacaine - La Spezia
TEN-YEAR TRENd
Since 2002,cocaine operations have shown a steady increase until 2009, with a drop
in 2010 and 2011. Also the trend of cocaine-related reports to the Judicial Authority
has continuously increased and only in 2011 a slight fluctuation was recorded. The
seizures between 3,500 and 4,500 kg peaked in 2011 (6,346 kg).
The operations moved from 4,790 in 2002 to 6,952 in 2011; the reports from 9,406 to
13,062 and the seizures from 4,042 kg to 6,346 kg .
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF dRUG OPERATIONS, SEIZURES ANd PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY FOR COCAINE IN 2011
The regions recording major cocaine seizures were: Liguria (1,554.34 kg), followed by Toscana (1,423.79 kg) and Calabria (1099.40kg).
Lombardia ranks first for the number of persons reported (2,516), followed by Lazio (1,560), Campania (1,297), Sicilia (1,096) and Emilia Romagna (982).
Analysing the macro-areas, the cocaine seizures made in 2011 show the North of Italy in the lead with
42.47% of the total number of seizures, followed
by Central Italy with 29.58% and by
the South and islands with
27.94%.
26.87%23.86%
49.27%
32.81%22.98%
44.21%
Northern Italy
27.94%29.58%
42.47%
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Emilia Romagna
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
MolisePuglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Campania
114.25
13
1151,099.40
422
33716.55
696
40242.311096
160.43
18
67180.001297
879424.91
1,560
4131,423.79
704
164523.96
351
14510.55
381
20820.11
437
528130.86
982
401.46
73
1.551851.74
2516
40541.85
670
2801,554.34
503
50564.39
814
10546.67
204
1598.51301
180.22
24
d r u g o p e r a t i o n s
Central ItalySouthern Italy/islands
Dr ug operat ionsLegend
Se i z ure s k g.Persons repor ted to the J . A .
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
acco rdin gto macro a reas
d r u g s e i z u r e s
persons reported to the j.a.
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
oti
cs a
ctiv
itie
s - c
on
ten
ts
88 (1.29%) were minors. The foreign nationals involved were 2,959, corresponding to
43.46% out of the total of subjects reported for heroin-related offences.
As to the type of offence, 92.17% regarded the illicit trafficking and 7.80% the most
serious offence of criminal conspiracy to drug trafficking.
The heroin seized during the drug operations was mainly discovered strapped to the
person (204 cases), inside houses (115), cars (94), in corpore (42) and inside luggage
(22).
The most significant cocaine seizures carried out in Italy in 2011 occurred in
Roverchiara/Verona (130.50 kg), Milan (40.54 kg) and Brescia (24 kg).
The Italian market was fuelled by heroin that reached our country through several
routes. In particular, in 2011, the main transit countries for cocaine destined for Italy
were Slovenia, Greece and Tanzania.
The drug operations which led to the seizure of different substances – including
heroin– were 3,860. As a result, 7,401 persons were reported to the Judicial Authority.
The foreign nationals who were mostly involved in heroin-related offences came from
Tunisia, Morocco, Albania, Nigeria and Algeria.
HEROINData represented in the tables below only refer to heroin operations and persons
reported to the Judicial Authorities for heroin-related offences.
In 2011, in Italy there was a decrease in the seizures of heroin, from 943.88 in 2010
to 810.93 in 2011 (-14.09%). A drop in the operations was also noticed while the
reports for heroin-related offences slightly increased, respectively 3,588 (-4.01%) and
6,808 (+0.53%)
Of 6,808 persons reported for heroin-related offences, 747 (10.97%) were women and
2011 % Variation 2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 6,275 3.62
conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 531 -25.73
other offences 2 100.00
age
of age 6,720 0.48
minors 88 4.76
sex
male 6,061 1.07
female 747 -3.61
national ity
Italian 3,849 -5.34
other 2,959 9.35
age groups
< 15 1 -85.71
15 ÷ 19 352 -5.63
20 ÷ 24 1,323 -1.42
25 ÷ 29 1,486 -6.19
30 ÷ 34 1,334 8.81
35 ÷ 39 918 1.21
> 40 1,394 4.58
Total 6,808 0.53
0
13
25
38
50
23445
11
1823
30
40
Heroin source countries (kg seized) 2011
Gre
ece
Tan
zan
ia
Ug
and
a
Alb
ania
Cam
ero
on
Ke
nya
Pak
ista
n
Be
lgiu
m
Gh
ana
Be
nin
Persons reported to the J.A. for heroin - related offences (2011)
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
TEN-YEAR TRENd
In the long term, the trend of operations and reports to the Judicial Authority is
almost stable from 2003 to 2011, totalling about 3,500 operations and 6,500 persons
reported to the Judicial Authority. Data pertaining to seizures - after a period of
stability in 2002/2004 exceeding 2,000 kilograms seized – had a slight increase in
2007 with 1,897 kilograms, followed by decreases respectively of 1,312 kg, 1,156kg ,
944 kg and 811 kg from 2008 to 2011.
0
1,250
2,500
3,750
5,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
3,5883,7383,8653,5793,6473,4973,3133,2813,491
4,529
0
2,500
5,000
7,500
10,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
6,8086,7727,0576,2216,5926,4146,4806,6016,801
8,839
0
750
1,500
2,250
3,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
8119441,156
1,312
1,899
1,3291,374
2,5572,5922,593
Seizure of 1 kg of heroin - reggio emiLia
Operations
Seizures (kilograms)
Persons reported to the J.A.
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
oti
cs a
ctiv
itie
s - c
on
ten
ts
REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF dRUG OPERATIONS, SEIZURES ANd PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY FOR HEROIN IN 2011
The regions recording major heroin seizures were: Veneto (212.53 kg), followed by Lombardia (188.05 kg), Puglia (91.29 kg) and Campania (57.98 kg).
Emilia Romagna ranks first for the number of persons reported (911), followed by Campania (632),Lombardia (620), Veneto (589) and Lazio (493).
Analysing the macro-areas, the heroin seizures made in 2011 show the North of Italy in the lead with 60.71% of the total
number of seizures, followed by the South and
islands with 26.08% and by
Central Italy with 13.22%.
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
MolisePuglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Campania
60.06
6
583.71177
25591.29
384
918.35329
270.63
53
36557.98
632
31133.90
493
26249.77
490
6712.64
171
13036.49
274
17418.44
359
44840.48
911
660.78129
422188.05
620
359212.53
589
17526.28
394
18121.91
303
832.20158
775.06188
310.39148
28.54%22.97%
48.49%
31.84%22.47%
45.68%
26.08%
13.22%
60.71%
Emilia Romagna
Northern Italy
Central ItalySouthern Italy/islands
Dr ug operat ionsLegend
Se i z ure s k g.Persons repor ted to the J . A .
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
acco rdin gto macro a reas
d r u g o p e r a t i o n s
d r u g s e i z u r e s
persons reported to the j.a.
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
On the whole, in 2011, the operations to combat cannabis derivatives trafficking
were 11,459 and the reports for hashish-related offences to the Judicial Authority
were 8,535, while those pertaining to marijuana were 5,211. Moreover, 20,257.56
kilograms of hashish and 10,907.88 kilograms of marijuana were seized.
Of 15,162 persons reported for cannabis-related offences, 1,000 (6.60%) were
women and 890 (5.87%) were minors. The foreign nationals involved were 4,036
corresponding to 26.62% out of the total of subjects reported for cannabis-related
offences.
As to the type of offence, 96.82% regarded the illicit trafficking and 3.15% the most
serious offence of criminal conspiracy to drug trafficking.
The foreign nationals who were mostly involved in cannabis-related offences came
from Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Nigeria, Spain and Romania.
The most significant seizures carried out in Italy in 2011 occurred in Ardea/Rome
(2,632.00 kg of hashish), Pomezia/Rome (1,502.00 kg of hashish), Bari (754.40 kg of
marijuana) and Opera/Milan (513 Kg of marijuana).
The Italian market was fuelled by hashish from Morocco and marijuana from Albania.
In particular, in 2011, the main transit countries for hashish destined for Italy were
Spain and France, while for marijuana Greece and Holland were the main routes.
CANNABISData represented in the tables below only refer to cannabis operations and persons
reported to the Judicial Authorities for cannabis-related offences.
In 2011, in Italy there was a remarkable increase in the seizures of marijuana
(+98.15%) and a stable situation as far as hashish is concerned (+0.22%). As to
marijuana, a rise in the operations was recorded (+35.65%) while the reports for
marijuana-related offences decreased by17.60%. On the contrary, there was a rise
in both sectors as far as hashish is concerned, respectively of +3.76% and +4.76%.
2011 % Variation2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 14,680 -4.35
conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 478 -6.64
other offences 4 300.00
age
of age 14,272 -4.97
minors 890 5.58
sex
male 14,162 -3.97
female 1,000 -10.23
national ity
Italian 11,126 -11.76
other 4,036 24.11
age groups
< 15 29 7.41
15 ÷ 19 2,394 2.00
20 ÷ 24 3,575 -7.31
25 ÷ 29 2,844 -8.11
30 ÷ 34 2,299 -0.95
35 ÷ 39 1,491 -10.83
> 40 2,530 -0.47
Total 15,162 -4.41
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
1310226275170
2,4712,828
3,167
Cannabis source countries (kg seized) 2011
Mo
rocc
o
Alb
ania
Sp
ain
Gre
ece
Ind
ia
Ho
llan
d
Fran
ce
Be
nin
Mal
i
Au
stri
a
Persons reported to the J.A. for hashish and marijuana - related offences (2011)
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
oti
cs a
ctiv
itie
s - c
on
ten
ts
The drug operations which led to the seizure of different substances – including
cannabis– were 16,677. As a result, 27,118 persons were reported to the Judicial
Authority.
The peak record of cannabis plants seized was in 2007 and amounted to
1,529,779.00 plants. Cannabis consignments seized during the drug operations
were mainly concealed strapped to the person (807 cases), on board lorries (374
cases), inside houses (733), in corpore (98).
TEN-YEAR TRENd
Over the years, cannabis derivatives have been the most sought-after drugs on the
illicit market. On the whole, there was a clear prevalence in hashish seizures. In this
decade, the hashish seizures amounted to more than the half of the total of drug
seizures in Italy.
The record peak in hashish seizures was recorded in 2008 with 34,616 kilograms;
that of marijuana in 2002 with 16,385 kilograms.
In 2002, the overall seizures of cannabis derivatives have remarkably dropped and
the lowest peak was reached in 2004, with 19,914 kilograms.
Until 2004, the same downward trend was also noticed in the sector of antidrug
operations; a slight but steady increase was then reported until 2011 with 11,459
operations. As to the reports to the Judicial Authorities, there was a less evident
drop until 2005 and then a slight increase up to 2010 with a slight drop in 2011.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
1,008,228
72,538118,967
148,583
1,529,779
97,853140,958
311,124
191,813
297,693
Cannabis plants seizures (No.)
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
10,908
5,5058,098
2,4014,551
4,985
2,4853,491
15,339
16,385 20,258
20,212
20,312
34,616
20,035
19,73023,199
16,423
25,18128,755
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
1,20
8
1,20
7
1,09
5
1,08
2
913
651
646
534
571
615
4,007
2,954
2,399
2,213
2,2242,517
1,852
1,6422,3113,3
30
6,244
6,0187,2
36
7,398
6,871
6,383
6,515
6,391
6,1956,746
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
1,41
6
1,38
5
1,19
3
1,21
6
935
630
639
527
585
581
5,2116,324
2,951
2,291
2,428
2,746
1,793
1,7832,5943,684
8,535
8,1529,265
9,422
9,012
8,532
8,3258,846
8,7669,725
HashishMarijuanaCannabis plants
Operations
Seizures (kilograms)
Persons reported to the J.A.
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF dRUG OPERATIONS, SEIZURES ANd PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY FOR CANNABIS IN 2011 The regions recording major hashih seizures were: Lazio (5,242.13 kg) , followed by Lombardia (4,640.00 kg), and Liguria (592.72 kg). As to marijuana major seizures were
made in Puglia (4,231.63 kg) and in Lombardia (1,904.63 kg).
Lombardia ranks first for the number of persons reported for cannabis derivatives (1,994), followed by Lazio (1,964), Campania (1,562), Sicilia(1,520), and Puglia (1,226).
1,008,228.00 cannabis plants were produced in our country and, consequently, seized in 2011 (+1,289.93% with respect to 2010): these operations were mainly carried out in
Sicilia (925,836 plants seized) and Calabria (39,346), where there are favourable climatic conditions for this type of crops.
Analysing the macro-areas, the cannabis seizures
made in 2011 show the North of Italy in
the lead with 44.08% of the total
number of seizures, followed
by Central Italy with 31.57%.
and by the South and islands
with 24.35%.
Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
MolisePuglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Campania
271.98
41
466224.46
517
9414,455.68
1,226
1.088771.13
1.520
88179.40
155
1,1711,304.23
1,562
15216,757.71
1,964
6151,720.15
816
482572.19
617
20574.39
285
304822.19
411
810802.82
1,088
15924.96
263
1,5666,544.63
1,994
6351,278.35
822
3742,604.36
507
5652,354.50
770
2191,25.61
296
169537.99
242
548.72
6639.23%
22.77%
38.01%
39.23%
22.64%
38.13%
24.35%31.57%
44.08%
Emilia Romagna
Northern Italy
Central ItalySouthern Italy/islands
Dr ug operat ionsLegend
Se i z ure s k g.Persons repor ted to the J . A .
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
Northern Italy
Central Italy Southern Italy/islands
according to macro areas
d r u g o p e r a t i o n s
d r u g s e i z u r e s persons reported to the j.a.
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
oti
cs a
ctiv
itie
s - c
on
ten
ts
and the reports to the Judicial Authority were 429, while 16,573 doses were seized.
Of 429 persons reported for synthetic drugs-related offences, 50 (11.66%) were women
and 10 (2.33%) were minors. The foreign nationals involved were 148 corresponding
to 34.50% out of the total of subjects reported for this type of substances.
As to the type of offence, 98.37% regarded the illicit trafficking and 1.63% the most
serious offence of criminal conspiracy to drug trafficking.
The most significant seizure carried out in Italy in July 2011 occurred in Casnate con
Bernate/Como (10,000 ecstasy tablets).
The foreign nationals who were mostly involved in synthetic drugs-related offences
came from the Philippines (65), China (13), Poland (8), Albania (6) and Iran (4).
Out of a total of 7 reports to the Judicial Authority for conspiracy to drug trafficking,
2 were issued against foreign nationals.
The synthetic drugs seized during the drug operations were mainly concealed inside
parcels or letters and on the person.
The routes used to smuggle synthetic drugs generally originate in the Netherlands,
Spain and Thailand.
In Italy, the largest seizures of synthetic drugs regarded the ecstasy group substances.
The drug operations which led to the seizure of different substances – including
synthetic drugs– were 649. As a result, 1,178 persons were reported to the Judicial
Authority.
The Synthetic Drugs section was established in 2008 within the I Division of the III
Service (Drug Operations) in order to effectively respond to the foreign counterparts’
requests and because of the ever-increasing number of seizures made, in particular,
in 2007. This new Section had to face the rising and dangerous phenomenon of the
spreading of these substances among young people.
In 2009-2010 new substances were included in the Tables provided by the Drugs Act,
and finally in 2011 the Decrees by the Ministry of Health dated May 11 and December
29 came into force and marked a turning point in the fight against synthetic drugs in
Italy. From this moment on, the whole group of “synthetic cannabinoids” – of “JWH”
SYNTHETIC dRUGSData represented in the tables below only refer to synthetic drugs operations and
persons reported to the Judicial Authorities for synthetic drugs-related offences.
In 2011, in Italy there was a remarkable decrease in the seizures of synthetic drugs
with respect to 2010 (-77.88%). On the contrary, a rise in the operations (+61.03%)
and reports (+30.79%) for synthetic drugs-related offences was noticed.
On the whole, in 2011, the operations to combat synthetic drugs trafficking were 343
2011 % Variation 2010
type of offence
illicit trafficking (Art. 73) 422 51.25
conspiracy to trafficking (Art. 74) 7 -85.71
other offences - -
age
of age 419 33.02
minors 10 -23.08
sex
male 379 32.52
female 50 19.05
national ity
Italian 281 12.40
other 148 89.74
age groups
< 15 - -
15 ÷ 19 39 -36.07
20 ÷ 24 103 21.18
25 ÷ 29 81 47.27
30 ÷ 34 53 15.22
35 ÷ 39 61 117.86
> 40 92 73.58
Total 429 30.79
Persons reported to the J.A. for synthetic drugs - related offences (2011)
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
type - have become illegal as well as other substances such as the butylone and AM-
694. These measures were adopted also thanks to the contribution of the Department
for anti-drug policies within the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, on the basis
of alert notices supplied by the National Early Warning System all over the national
territory. The Italian law enforcement activities against synthetic drugs are at a most
advanced stage in Europe, where numerous psychoactive substances are still included
in the category of licit substances as “smart drugs” or “legal highs”, and sold in “Smart
Shops” or “drugstores” on the Web.
Moreover, Italy has also included GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) in the Tables used for
the identification of narcotic drugs: this substance is considered a “rape drug”, and a
solvent used in metallurgic industry. The human body rapidly converts GBL into GHB
(gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) that is another narcotic drug scheduled in Tables.
In July 2011, the Precursors Section joined the Synthetic Drugs Section to form a
single Unit in order to respond to the new provisions fixed by the Legislative Decree
N. 50 dated 24.3.2011. This Decree introduced strict rules regarding the production,
manufacture, trade and possession of chemical precursors.
TEN-YEAR TRENd
Since 2002, the operations, seizures and reports to the Judicial Authority pertaining
to the synthetic drugs had an unstable trend and peaked in 2007 with 438,437 doses
seized, while in 2011 a sharp drop was recorded.
0
125,000
250,000
375,000
500,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
16,57374,91366,21457,615
438,437
133,979
329,804379,848
251,593
403,337
0
150
300
450
600
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
343
213213
331392413401
501481467
0
250
500
750
1,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
429328288
498
651695677
840785
710
Operations
Seizures (Number)
Persons reported to the J.A.
Seizure of 750 ecStaSy tabLet - rome
na
tio
na
l co
unte
r-n
arc
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REGIONAL dISTRIBUTION OF dRUG OPERATIONS, SEIZURES ANd PERSONS REPORTEd TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY FOR SYNTHETIC dRUGS IN 2011 The regions recording major synthetic drugs seizures were: Lombardia (10,904 doses), followed by Lazio (1,956 doses), Emilia Romagna (865),
Friuli Venezia Giulia (774) and Toscana (759).
Emilia Romagna ranks first for the number of persons reported for synthetic drugs (91), followed by Lombardia (85), Lazio (72), Toscana (46) and Campania (29).
Analysing the macro-areas, the synthetic drugs seizures made in 2011 show the
North of Italy in the lead with 80.38%
of the total number of seizures,
followed by Central Italy with
16.73% and by the South
and islands with 2.90%. Valle d’Aosta
Piemonte
Liguria
Lombardia
Trentino Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli Venezia
Giulia
Toscana
Umbria
Marche
Lazio
Abruzzo
MolisePuglia
Basilicata
Calabria
Sicilia
Sardegna
Campania
000
403
173218
6113
5
095
0
87429
581,956
72
23759
46
7145
13
220
2
118
1
62865
91
8774
8
9610,904
85
17254
19
928
9
15392
18
8104
7
139
2
11113.12%
24.20%
62.68%
16.55%55.24%
28.21%
2.90%
16.73%
80.38%
Emilia Romagna
Northern Italy
Central Italy
Southern Italy/islands
Dr ug operat ionsLegend
Se i z ure s No.Persons repor ted to the J . A .
Northern Italy
Central Italy
Southern Italy/islands
Northern Italy Central Italy
Southern Italy/islands
acco rdin gto macro a reas
d r u g o p e r a t i o n s
d r u g s e i z u r e s
persons reported to the j.a.
na
tion
al co
unter-n
arco
tics activities - co
nten
ts
TotalOperation
No.
d r u g s e i z u r e sTotal
Cocainekg
Heroinkg
hashishkg
Marijuana kg
Other drugskg
Cannabis plantsNo.
Synthetic drugsNo.
Other drugsNo. No. kg
five-year trend
2007 22,165 3,935.08 1,899.49 20,035.16 4,550.88 1,534.56 1,529,779 438,437 1,082,456 1,520,893 31,955.16
2008 23,167 4,134.57 1,312.46 34,616.11 2,400.60 276.41 148,583 57,615 21,375 78,990 42,740.15
2009 23,272 4,097.58 1,155.51 20,311.57 8,097.80 459.78 118,967 66,214 11,761 77,975 34,122.22
2010 22,174 3,843.47 943.88 20,212.44 5,504.96 748.49 72,538 74,913 6,396 81,309 31,253.23
2011 23,103 6,346.30 810.93 20,257.56 10,907.88 1,036.90 1,008,228 16,573 16,153 32,726 39,359.57
2011 data - geographical subdiv is ion
Northern Italy 10,091 2,695.56 492.29 10,816.51 2,920.71 137.99 11,442 13,321 5,919 19,240 17,063.06
Central Italy 5,360 1,877.32 107.17 7,208.77 2,629.27 815.19 4,943 2,772 2,259 5,031 12,637.71
Southern Italy/islands 7,652 1,773.42 211.47 2,232.29 5,357.90 83.72 991,843 480 7,975 8,455 9,658.80
Type of report
Type of offence Nationality Age Sex Age groups
Arr
este
d
Rep
orte
d bu
t not
ar
rest
ed
At l
arge
Illic
it tr
affic
king
(a
rt. 7
3)
C
onsp
iras
y to
ill
icit
traf
ficki
ng
(art
. 74)
Oth
er o
ffen
ces
Ital
ian
Oth
er
Of A
ge
Min
ors
Mal
e
Fem
ale
< 1515÷19
24÷24
25÷29
30÷34
39÷39
>= 40 Total
five-year trend
2007 27,661 7,372 443 31,643 3,813 20 24,719 10,757 34,439 1,037 32,267 3,209 35 3,355 7,489 7,457 5,901 4,624 6,615 35,476
2008 28,758 6,252 426 32,499 2,858 79 23,929 11,507 34,306 1,130 32,337 3,099 45 3,445 7,524 7,347 6,013 4,343 6,719 35,436
2009 29,675 6,467 373 33,427 3,075 13 24,030 12,485 35,353 1,162 33,335 3,180 50 3,596 7,707 7,714 6,214 4,453 6,781 36,515
2010 29,172 9,507 399 34,992 4,071 15 27,009 12,069 37,931 1,147 35,710 3,368 42 3,616 8,198 8,161 6,594 4,833 7,634 39,078
2011 28,552 7,936 308 33,686 3,070 40 24,148 12,648 35,621 1,175 33,673 3,123 45 3,521 7,510 7,377 6,347 4,468 7,528 36,796
2011 data - geographical subdiv is ion
Northern Italy 11,937 3,318 185 14,673 733 34 7,354 8,086 15,006 434 14,261 1,179 17 1,314 3,204 3,270 2,801 1,839 2,995 15,440
Central Italy 6,413 1,951 33 7,725 671 1 5,137 3,260 8,126 271 7,656 741 7 822 1,756 1,700 1,408 1,027 1,677 8,397
Southern Italy/islands 10,202 2,667 90 11,288 1,666 5 11,657 1,302 12,489 470 11,756 1,203 21 1,385 2,550 2,407 2,138 1,602 2,856 12,959
GENERAL TABLE OF dRUG OPERATIONS ANd SEIZURES
GENERAL TABLE OF REPORTS TO THE JUdICIAL AUTHORITY
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td.c.s.a. actIVItIes In ItaLY In 2011Foreword
InVestIgatIVe coordInatIon
InternatIonaL cooperatIon
oFFIce For coordInatIon and pLannIng
traInIng
technIcaL-LogIstIc support
InFormatIon research
second part
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The Direzione is composed of an equal number of representatives of the State Police,
Carabinieri Corps and Guardia di Finanza. The Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga
substituted the Servizio Centrale Antidroga (Antidrug Central Service) set up in 1981,
which in turn took the place of the Ufficio Centrale di Direzione e Coordinamento
dell’Attività di Polizia per la Prevenzione e Repressione del Traffico Illecito di Sostanze
Stupefacenti (Central Office for the Direction and Coordination of Law Enforcement
Activity in the Fight against Illicit Drug Trafficking), created in 1976.
Among DCSA duties mention must be made of the overall
coordination at the national and international
level of drug investigative activities,
the development of international
relations as well as the
working out of strategic
and operational analyses.
The Direzione is composed
of three Services (General
and International Affairs; Study,
Fo rewo rdIn the last decades the drug plague has spread to all continents, becoming a global
phenomenon, often with very negative effects on the vital sectors of each country,
such as health and economy. It is undoubtedly a problem difficult to solve both because
drug producers and traffickers are often protected by and sometimes close to terror
groups, and because the scenario rapidly changes and the routes and markets are
managed by skilled multinational criminal groups.
In order to curb drug supply in a proper way it is thus necessary to adopt target-oriented
counterstrategies and effectively develop the cooperation
between drug international agencies.
These considerations paved the way
to the setting up, as provided
for by law No. 16 dated
January 15th, 1991, of the
Direzione Centrale per i
Servizi Antidroga, within the
Department of Public Security.
dcsa dIrector
service iinternational and General Affairs
Office for coordination and planning
service iiiAntidrug operations
service iiresearch, studies and information
1st sectionResearch, studies, legal affairs and drug-addiction analysis
2nd sectionBilateral International Section
3rd sectionTraining courses
4th sectionMultilateral International Section
sectionTechnical equipmentCommunication centreCar fleet
Interpreters
Confidential files
Keeper's office
1st sectionStrategic analysis
2nd sectionOperative analysis
1st sectionData baseData processing centre
2nd sectionData collection and data on drug trafficking (D.A.D.E.)
3rd sectionArchivesDocumentation centre
1st sectionHeroin
2nd sectionCannabis and its derivates
3rd sectionSynthetic drugs and Precursors
1st sectionCocaine
2nd sectionCoordination drug liaison offices abroad and foreign liaison offices in Italy
3rd sectionRelations with Customs Administration
1st Division 2nd Division 1st Division 2nd Division 1st Division 2nd Division
secretAriAt
Personnel
Accounting office
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MiAMi
BogotA LiSBoN BudApeSt iStANBuL MoScow ANKARA tAShKeNt KA
Bu
L iSLAMABAd BANgKoK tehRAN BeiRut RABAt dAKAR BRASiLiA cARAcAS
BueNoS AiReS
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foreign countries which are mainly affected by production, trade in and illicit transit of
narcotic drugs. Their offices are located as follows:
- American continent: Miami, Bogota, Caracas, Lima, La Paz, Buenos Aires, Brasilia
and Mexico City;
- African continent: Dakar and Rabat;
- Asian continent: Istanbul, Beirut, Ankara, Islamabad, Bangkok, Tehran, Kabul and
Tashkent;
- European continent: Madrid, Lisbon, Budapest and Moscow.
Research and Information, Drug Operations). The Office for General Coordination
and Planning, which is part of DCSA, cooperates with public bodies and private
associations in the field of prevention of drug addictions, coordinating at the same
time the initiatives of the drug law enforcement authorities .
Moreover in order to constantly monitor the areas of origin and development of drug
trafficking as well as to act as a link with the competent foreign bodies and facilitate
the rapid solution of problems at the judicial and police levels, DCSA has its own Law
Enforcement Attachés posted to the diplomatic missions and consulates of the 20
oceANiA
ASiAeuRope
SouthAMeRicA
AFRicA
NoRthAMeRicA
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Furthermore, there is a liaison-officer at MAOC-N in Lisbon, a European organization
aimed at maritime and air interdiction of drug trafficking, in particular cocaine, in the
Atlantic ocean.
D.C.S.A. has also close relations with CECLAD in Toulon, an organization similar to
the one mentioned above, that is focused on the fight against drug trafficking in the
Mediterranean sea.
At present the distribution of offices is being revised keeping into account the changes
in routes and in the criminal organizations. In this regard significant variations will be
made in 2012 and 2013.
InVestIgatIVe coordInatIonIn coordinating investigations, DCSA contributes to outline the antidrug strategies
adopted by the Police forces and the Judicial Authorities in the drug operations
conducted at national level.
In particular, this activity is carried out through a constant and continuous exchange
of information with the national operating departments, which obtain information and
links useful to the development of investigations. Such information support derives
from data that emerged on the targets in previous investigations, enriched with in
depth analyses of the social criminal milieu, of the modus operandi previously adopted
and any other information. Furthermore DCSA keeps continuous contacts with the
foreign counterparts, mainly through the wide network of Law Enforcement Attachés
posted to the most strategically sensitive countries, which allows to provide further
precious support to the operational units through information enriching domestic
investigative scenarios.
The monitoring and coordination of drug investigations led to the detection of several
investigative crossovers, when the same subjects are investigated by different
units or departments of the Italian or foreign Police Forces. This allows to evaluate
and establish new investigative strategies which optimize the human, financial and
technical resources involved in specific criminal investigations and to obtain evidence.
In 2011, in particular, 782 crossovers emerged, with a decrease of 6.35% with respect
to previous year.
Furthermore DCSA provides the Police Forces involved in drug investigations with
technical and logistic support, supplying inter alia hi-tech instruments enabling to
carry out investigations and specialized personnel, when needed. Such technical
equipment is extremely useful during special operations and, in particular, during
undercover operations.
InternatIonaL cooperatIonDrug abuse and the development of drug trafficking are a major concern for all
European and world Authorities and are a serious problem in terms of public order
and health.
In 2011, within the fight against international drug trafficking, DCSA developed,
enhanced and strengthened international cooperation, both at multilateral and
bilateral levels.
In this connection, particular attention was paid as usual to the participation in the
main international fora on the fight against drug trafficking, and to the development
and implementation of “Cooperation Agreements” with the countries mostly affected
by such a phenomenon.
Change of Directors at DCSA - July 2011
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At multilateral level in 2011
DCSA actively participated in
the monthly meetings of the
“Horizontal Drug Group” of
the E.U. Council.
HDG was set up with the aim
of ensuring the coordination
of the action of the Council in
the field of the drug fight, as
well as of coordinating the cooperation with Third Countries. It is a multidisciplinary
group dealing with several topics (health, foreign politics, security, education) and is
in charge of initiating, monitoring and coordinating all activities in the drug field, thus
contributing in setting up antidrug policies and coordinating all activities involving
drugs at European level.
Among the issues dealt with by the Hungarian and Polish Presidencies we would like
to remind:
- a financing programme aimed at protecting public health;
- the commitment to implement the effectiveness of networks dealing with drug
prevention;
- specific attention to the development of actions contained in the European Action
Plan 2009-2012;
- a study on the drug diffusion in prisons;
- thorough examination of the measures aimed at fighting against driving under
drug influence;
- reduction of the new synthetic drugs.
As to the implementation of the “European Pact to combat international drug
trafficking”, DCSA participated in the workshops of the “Project Group no.2”.
The European Pact to combat international drug trafficking is an initiative aiming at
reviving the cooperation among E.U. countries against international drug trafficking.
It is divided into three sectors:
- dismantling cocaine routes;
- dismantling heroin routes;
- fight against assets illicitly accumulated by drug trafficking organizations.
Italy is, together with Germany, the co-leader of the Project Group no.2 concerning
the fight against heroin trafficking.
During 2011 the “Project group no.2 – Heroin routes” has been set out in 4 workshops:
- 1st Workshop – “Technical Assistance” which was organized in Berlin on February
18, 2011 by the German representatives and in Rome on November 28, 2011 by
D.C.S.A.
- 2sd Workshop – “Liaison officers” organized in Rome on March 31, 2011 by
D.C.S.A.;
- 3rd Workshop – “Precursors”, Brussels - June 9, 2011, for which B.K.A. organized
a session of the working group on precursors dedicated to the implementation of
the European Pact;
- 4th Workshop – “Operational Cooperation”, held in The Hague/The Netherlands on
November 30, 2011, in cooperation with EUROPOL.
Activities 2011
Activities No.
Meetings within the United Nat ions 7
Meetings within the European Union 34
Visits of delegations 12
International meetings 21
Meeting with the DEA Regional Director – July 2011
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Also at EU level, D.C.S.A. takes part in the works of the “Dublin group”1.
Such group meets in Brussels once in a semester to examine the issues emerged in
the reports drawn up by the countries in charge of the following geographic areas:
South-West Asia, South-East Asia and Pacific, Central Asia, East Europe, Middle East
and Balkans, Africa, Caribbean area and Latin America.
With reference to the above mentioned geographic areas the so called “Mini
Dublin Groups” were set up, in which representatives of the local Embassies of the
Member countries, Law Enforcement Attachés and Liaison Officers and sometimes
representatives of the Governments of the hosting countries participate. Such
subgroups ensure effective information exchange at regional level and coordination
of the assistance in favour of the beneficiary countries.
Italy chairs the Mini Dublin Group for Central Asia. Within U.N.O.D.C. (United Nation
office on Drug and Crime)2 cooperation is carried out mainly during the annual session
of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (C.N.D.), the U.N. agency in
charge of orienting the drug strategy. During the 54th session, 16 resolutions were
presented and approved, among them the Italian resolution concerning rehabilitation
strategies in the drug addiction field, which was co-sponsored by 46 delegations.
Also at UN level the Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga participated in the XXI
meeting of H.O.N.L.E.A3 (Head of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies) Latin
America and Carribean, held in Santiago de Chile from October 3 to 7, 2011. During
this meeting several recommendations were approved urging some states to carry
1 The Dublin Group is an informal group set up in 1990, whose task is the coordinated assessment of the regional cooperation policies in favour of drug transit and production countries.
2 UNODC is the agency set up in 1997 as world leader in the fight against drugs and organized crime. It is seated in Vienna and avails itself of 21 local offices and liaison officers in New York. 90% of its budget consists of government contributions. It took over the functions previously carried out by UNDCP (United Nations International Drug Control Programme). UNODC’s task is to assist member states in the fight against drugs, crime and terrorism. The three Pillars of UNODC programme are: research and analysis to improve the knowledge and understanding of drug and crime issues, legislative work aimed at assisting member states in ratifying and implementing international treaties, development of the national drug legislation on drugs, crime and terrorism and the cooperation projects to improve member state potential in the fight against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.
3 It is a technical-operational group in which the Heads of National Drug Agencies, belonging to the same geographical area, participate (Honlea Europe – Honlea Africa – Honlea Asia and Pacific – Honlea Latin America and Caribbean . This group aims at improving international cooperation between drug agencies in the field of drug trafficking.
out a harder fight against drugs and precursors trafficking as well as against the
laundering of drug proceeds.
In 2011 DCSA also took part in:
- the 16th Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference (ADEC) organized
by the Japanese police in Tokyo in February;
- the meetings of the Paris Pact Consultative Group held in Vienna in March and
December;
- the meeting of the Pompidou Group organized in Brussels in September;
- the 1st extraordinary Ameripol4 (Police Community of the Americas) meeting, held
in December in Cancun/Mexico.
With regard to bilateral cooperation, in 2011 DCSA carried out the following initiatives:
it participated in drawing up, signing and organizing:
- the bilateral cooperation agreement on preventing and combating illicit trafficking
in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors between the
Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan (signed in Rome on 2.6.2011);
- the memorandum of Understanding in the police cooperation field between the
Department of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior of the Italian Republic
and the Órgano Administrativo Desconcentrado Policía Federal Dependiente de la
Secretaría de Seguridad Pública de Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (signed in Rome
on 10.6.2011);
- the secondment of the Law Enforcement Attaché to Morocco (Rabat);
- the visits to DCSA by the representatives of the foreign counterparts of the
following countries and organizations: Russian Federation, Iran, Hungary, Ecuador,
Germany, Colombia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, UK and Australia.
The Director participated in:
- defining an operational protocol in Belgrade, aimed at improving the information
exchange within drug enforcement activity (January 26 – 27, 2011);
- the “Euro-Africa Conference” held in Naples and concerning: illegal immigration,
4 It was set up in 2007 and aims at strengthening technical-scientific assistance, strategic and operational information exchange, criminal investigation and judicial assistance in different sec-tors of organized crime. Italy participates in its meetings as an observer.
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human trafficking, drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism (February 8 – 9,
2011);
- the opening and closing ceremony in Mexico City of the antidrug training stage
(March 8 – 14, 2011);
- XXVIII International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), organized by U.S.
D.E.A. in Cancun/Mexico (April 4 – 8, 2011);
- the Ministerial Conference on the fight against transatlantic cocaine trafficking
between Latin America and Western Africa held in Paris on May 10, 2011.
oFFIce For coordInatIon and pLannIngThe main task of the Office for Coordination and Planning is to connect D.C.S.A. with
the other offices of the Ministry of the Interior – Department of Public Security-and
with the other public or private administrations and agencies involved in the fight
against drugs and drug addictions.
This Office, headed by a senior officer of the Civil Administration of the Ministry of
the Interior , increases the value of the Direzione Centrale by linking it with the civil
society and the other institutions operating in the fight against drugs. Through this
office, DCSA also operates in the demand reduction sector.
In particular, in 2011 this Office carried out the following activities:
Joint institutional cooperation
In the framework of joint institutional cooperation among players involved in the
prevention and fight against the diffusion of drug addictions, the Office for Coordination
and Planning maintains contacts with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, in
particular with the Department for Antidrug Policies that is in charge of combining all
antidrug initiatives, including those implementing EU directives.
Early warning system
The Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga cooperates at national level in the “Early
Warning System” , realized in the framework of the European “Early Warning System”
Programme.
The main goal of this system is to reduce the negative effects of the new substances
appearing on the illegal markets and often diffused through the Internet, intercepting
at an early stage the new trends in drug diffusion and consumption and adopting the
more suitable measures so to provide a quick and effective response.
This system, adopted in Europe based on the decision 2005/387/JHA of the European
Council, provides for the creation of national Monitoring Centers in the EU member
states, coordinated by the EMCDDA in Lisbon. Such national Monitoring Centres are in
charge of collecting information, each for its own country, concerning newly appeared
narcotic substances and new market and consumption trends. In this framework, the
Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga, on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior,
cooperating with the other national centres belonging to the Early Warning System
(law enforcement agencies, local health agencies, national laboratories, hospitals,
poison centres, first aid centres, etc.) plays a crucial role providing the System with
all information on the drug phenomenon collected by the Police Forces at national
level. The information gathered by the different cooperating centres is transmitted to
the National Focal Point and diffused through the network connecting the single Focal
Points (REITOX network). From there such information is sent to the relevant private
and public institutions in the different European countries.
Meeting with the Egyptian delegation – September 2011
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Coordination and planning
As in previous years, also in 2011 the Office in question carried out its programming
duties aimed at drawing up the Minister’s Annual Directive.
The Office also coordinated the periodic monitoring of the activities carried out by
D.C.S.A. in the strategic and management control.
traInIngIn 2011 the Training Section of DCSA continued to foster and organize drug
qualification and refresher courses in favour of the different national and foreign
drug law enforcement agencies.
In particular the Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga hosted courses and
seminars which were highly appreciated also by foreign authorities
In the fight against drug trafficking training is considered to be a core issue both at
the national and the international level since it allows officers to keep pace with the
latest trends and modus operandi of criminal organizations
Foreign agencies increased their requests for an exchange in terms of training.
The training programmes were more and more orientated around technical and
operational matters.
There was an exchange of expertise between Italy and foreign counterparts. Indeed
representatives of foreign and Italian drug agencies participated in the courses both
as teachers and as attendees, proving their interest in the problem and consolidating
the cooperation between the different law-enforcement agencies.
At EU level DCSA constantly participated in the courses organized by the Police
European Academy (CEPOL):
The Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga is also candidate of the new 2007/2013
ISEC (Internal Security) financial programmes in the field of training and in other
forms of exchange between law-enforcement officers.
In 2011 different training courses and visits were organized at national and international
levels, specifically:
National Level
At DCSA Headquarters:
• Visit to DCSA of officials attending the 108th course R.N. “Piave Vecchio 3” and the
7th course R.A. “Idra” of the Guardia di Finanza Academy within their study tour
in Italy, September 16, 2011 ;
• XXI Course for “Undercover agents” destined for the personnel belonging to the
intermediate ranks (non-commissioned Officers) of the three main national law-
enforcement agencies, November 21- December 2, 2011;
• Seminar for “Undercover agents” destined for all personnel belonging to the three
main national law-enforcement agencies, December 12-13.
Outside DCSA:
• XI Course for “ Heads of the Specialized Drug Units” at the Italian Inter-Agency
Meeting with the Hungarian police delegation – March 2011
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College of Advanced Police Studies for Law Enforcement Officials and Senegal law-
enforcement representatives, September 12-16, 2011.
Assistance for training courses in favour of other law-enforcement agencies:
• 22nd Qualification Course for Dog Unit Handlers of the State Police – teaching
assistance;
• Refresher course destined for the staff of the Vatican’s Inspectorate for Public
Security in the Vatican;
• Conference on the “World Production and International Trafficking in Narcotics
Drugs” at the Training and Specialization Centre of the Guardia di Finanza in
Orvieto, January 18, 2011;
• “Interregional Seminar on the fight against drug and chemical precursors trafficking
in North-East Italy” at the State Police Cadet School in Trieste destined for law
enforcement senior officers/officials, June 7-10
• “Training course on fine mechanics” at the Central Directorate of the Criminal
Police, October 10-14;
• Conference on “Drug World Production and International trafficking” at the Training
and Specialization Centre of the G. di F. in Orvieto, October 12;
• Conference on “Drug World Production and International trafficking” at the
Training and Specialization Centre of the G. di F. in Orvieto, November 2.
International Level
Within the programme of the NATO-RUSSIA Council , “Pilot Project for Counter-
narcotics Training of Afghan, Pakistani and Central Asian Countries personnel”, DCSA
provided its assistance in the
following initiatives:
• 5 courses in favour of
representatives of the law-
enforcement agencies of the
above-mentioned geographical
areas, held at the Training
Centre in Domodedovo
(Russian Federation). The Italian Law Enforcement Attaché in Moscow took part in
this event;
• Meeting of the “Executive Steering Committee” held at the Turkish Academy
Headquarters against Drug and Organised Crime (TADOC) in Ankara. The Law
Enforcement Attaché in Ankara took part in the meeting, May 9-11.
International Police Cooperation:
• Training Course on Drugs – Psychotropic Substances, Organized Crime, Money
Laundering and Technical means in favour of different Mexican Law-Enforcement
agencies involved in the drug fight and of a representative of Guatemala and San
Salvador, organized by a DCSA team in Mexico City, February 26-March 3;
• Basic Drug Training Course, organized by a DCSA team in favour of different drug
law-enforcement agencies of Senegal in Dakar, April 11-15;
• Course on drug-related subjects organized upon request of the Central Directorate
of the Criminal Police and taken by a DCSA training team in Sarajevo in favour of
representatives of the law-enforcement agencies of Bosnia, December 5-9,
• Course for “Undercover Agents and Supervisors” organized by BKA in Wiesbaden,
March 21-April 8. A DCSA representative attended this course.
Participation in the activities of the Police European Academy – CEPOL.
As attendees:
• CEPOL Course “Train national European Funding Officer”, October 10-14, Paris
(France);
• CEPOL course “Fighting against drugs”, November 22-25, Sofia (Bulgraia);
• CEPOL Course “Crime Intelligence Risk Assessment & Intelligence led policing”,
November 28-December 2, Münster (Germany).
As teachers:
• CEPOL course “Fighting against drugs”, November 22-25, Sofia (Bulgaria).
technIcaL-LogIstIc supportThe Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga provides its technical and logistic
support to the law-enforcement agencies and offices fighting against drug syndicates.
The Technical Equipment and Car Fleet Section of DCSA temporarily provides audio/
Training activities
Activities No.
Training courses in favour of foreign police services 5
Refresh seminars in favour of Italian police officers 7
Courses in favour of Undercoverofficers/agents 2
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gps equipment and authorizes vehicle rental.
The great availability of updated high-tech means and of specialized officers within
the Technical Equipment Section allows to:
- install sophisticated equipment for room bugging, satellite location, video and
photo taking;
- organize training courses on the use and disguise of technical equipment in
favour of foreign drug law enforcement agencies.
In 2011 the assistance of the Technical Equipment Section can be summarized as
follows:
- missions in Italy (40 days), missions abroad (No.
5);
- training courses abroad in favour of the Bosnian
police, FELCN in Bolivia and of the Federal police in
Mexico (No. 3);
- vehicle rental during criminal police operations
(389 days).
InFormatIon researchDrug trafficking and the social impact of its
consumption have become a more and more complex
phenomenon.
The multi-disciplinary approach based on analysis,
statistics and information plays a key role in
outlining future scenarios, national and international
situations and making forecasts.
Intelligence, in particular, allows to outline scenarios
and trends through and in-depth analysis of:
- data on world production areas and relevant levels
of production;
- information on drug flows and criminal organizations
managing the different stages;
- movement of precursors and essential chemicals;
- main drug operations;
- statistical data on the arrest of the subjects involved in illicit drug trafficking and
drug seizures.
Moreover the analysis of the complex market of drugs must also takes into account
the profile of drug supply and demand as well as the dynamics of the illicit exchange.
The analysis of such data, which are fundamental to have a clear picture and get
useful information to target drug law enforcement activity, is carried out at strategic
Visit of the Guardia di Finanza Academy attendees – September 2011
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and operational levels.
The operational analysis follows a multistep process, i.e. information development:
gathering, evaluation, processing, analysis and release. The analysts, working along
with investigators, organize information in a systematic, specialized and harmonized
way whenever investigations highlight one or more crossovers or when the amount
of information is such that the assistance of experts is needed. The connections
between investigations are identified (subjects, telephone numbers, etc.) and made
visible with the help of a dedicated software . This makes it possible to understand
situations which otherwise are difficult to describe.
The analysis carried out helps law enforcement authorities with their enquiries,
supporting the coordination activity and providing information useful to target
investigations.
Specifically, operational analysis allows:
- to identify the subjects and their roles within the organization;
- to trace back the drug and money transfer flows;
- to highlight the marginal aspects of the investigations, suggesting possible new
investigative leads;
- to rapidly inform DCSA Law Enforcement Attachés in order to establish contacts
with foreign counterparts or foreign drug experts stationed in Italy.
In 2011, it was possible to draw up 83 analysis reports as a result of the cooperation
between DCSA Operational service and the local drug units.
Strategic analysis allows to draw up situation reports on the problems connected
to the drug phenomenon. In this case, the data are developed by criminal analysts
through the use of dedicated software as well as institutional and open sources, such
as:
- information from the Internet, newspapers reports, specialized magazines, field
studies carried out by category associations;
- surveys by social research centres.
The goals of strategic analysis are:
- to allocate resources in a proper way, selecting the best counteracting methods
and techniques;
- to assess the general trends of the drug phenomenon in all its aspects, that is
to identify the drug routes, the connections with organized crime, the modus
operandi used by traffickers, etc.
In 2011 the following reports were issued:
- 138 reports on the situation of the fight against drug trafficking in foreign states and
the relations with Italy in the field of counternarcotics activity and cooperation to
better organize the meetings between the Direzione and its foreign counterparts;
- 87 information reports to support DCSA active participation in international
meetings and Europol AWFs.
Colombian officers – September 2011
MINISTERODELL’INTERNO
DIPARTIMENTO DELLA PUBBLICA SICUREZZA
DIREZIONE CENTRALEPER I SERVIZI ANTIDROGA
a cura della:Direzione Centrale per i Servizi AntidrogaVia Torre di Mezzavia, 9/12100173 RomaTel. [email protected]