Sassari drug ring dismantled by Carabinieri in multi-province operation

Carabinieri have dismantled a criminal organization operating out of the historic center of Sassari, Italy, following an investigation launched in January 2023. The operation, coordinated by the Sassari Public Prosecutor's Office, resulted in 16 arrests and 45 individuals being placed under investigation for drug trafficking.

The group, primarily composed of foreign nationals, was allegedly responsible for the continuous sale of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, with the aggravating factor of selling near schools. Investigators estimated the group's turnover at approximately one million euros, documented through thousands of drug sales. To maintain control over the local market, the group reportedly used lookouts and local dealers, sometimes using threats and physical violence to manage disputes.

Evidence shows the organization sourced drugs through couriers and “body packers”—individuals who hide narcotics inside their abdominal cavities—traveling from cities including Rome, Naples, Turin, Milan, and Padua. The crackdown involved simultaneous searches in several Italian provinces, including Sassari, Catania, Genova, Lecce, Como, and Caltanissetta. Authorities seized over 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of heroin, and approximately 0.5 kilograms of marijuana.