Guardia di Finanza cracks down on illegal diving centers in Calabria

The Guardia di Finanza has conducted a series of inspections on diving centers and tourist facilities along the Calabrian coast, resulting in fines exceeding 110,000 euros. The operation, part of the ‘Valorizzazione della risorsa mare’ initiative, targeted eight diving centers, particularly in the province of Vibo Valentia and the upper Tyrrhenian coast of Cosenza.

Authorities discovered several serious violations, including the use of 60 uninspected oxygen tanks, a total lack of first aid kits, and the employment of undocumented workers. In the Costa degli Dei area, investigators identified two fraudulent diving centers that were operating solely to provide illegal tourist transport.

Additionally, officials uncovered a ‘ghost’ business in the upper Tyrrhenian area that had been operating with a defunct VAT number for years to evade fiscal and regulatory oversight. The enforcement actions included the suspension of one business activity and the administrative seizure of two vessels.