Italian police conduct widespread raids against drug and theft offenses

In Rome’s Trastevere district Carabinieri carried out an extraordinary weekend crackdown on the so‑called “mala movida”, identifying 337 people, checking 168 vehicles and making eight arrests for drug‑related offences, while issuing five complaints and multiple administrative sanctions.

In the province of Crotone an inter‑force operation “Focus ‘Ndrangheta” involved the State Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza and the Coast Guard. The service identified 371 people, controlled 214 vehicles and issued two administrative fines totalling about €7,000. Police seized 0.75 g of cocaine and recorded a further drug‑related complaint.

A coordinated national sweep in 26 cities across northern and central Italy, directed by the Central Operational Service, resulted in 70 arrests (including one minor) and 264 free‑service complaints, with 19 firearms and 11 knives seized, alongside €13,035 in cash and other valuables. The operation targeted burglary, robbery, fraud against the elderly and other predatory crimes.

Separate local actions saw Carabinieri in Catania seize three illegal firearms, uncover an illegal electricity connection and issue two road‑code fines; Bologna police detained a drug dealer and processed 75 people; Ancona police identified 138 persons and checked 83 vehicles during a week‑long patrol; and railway police arrested suspects linked to a €150,000 fraud targeting senior citizens.