New details have emerged regarding a successful anti-drug operation in the Italian capital, resulting in the arrest of two Albanian nationals and the discovery of a professional cocaine distribution network operating between Via Ipogeo degli Ottavi and Casal del Marmo.
The operation, led by Carabinieri officers from the Ottavia station, dismantled what investigators describe as a “logistics hub” for local drug trafficking.
The Initial Stop
the investigation began yesterday afternoon during a routine traffic stop. Officers pulled over a rental car, but the driver’s extreme nervousness prompted a more thorough search of the vehicle. The inspection revealed a specialized concealment compartment:
- Hidden Stash: Three packages containing 11 doses of cocaine were found hidden within the car’s door threshold (door sill).
- Cash on Hand: Officers seized €400 in cash from the driver at the scene.
The Logistics Hub Discovery
Following the initial arrest, the investigation immediately moved to an apartment in the Casal del Marmo area. There, officers apprehended a second suspect, a 21-year-old Albanian national. A search of the residence uncovered:
- Narcotics: 270 grams of cocaine, some already divided into retail doses and others vacuum-sealed for storage.
- Bulk Cash: A total of €40,120 in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal sales.
- Accounting Ledgers: Three “business” notebooks detailing drug purchases, daily turnover, and potential buyer lists.
Professional Criminal Infrastructure
Investigators noted that the group utilized multiple rental cars and parked vehicles in the vicinity to move and store the product, a common tactic to avoid direct links to a single residence. In addition to the drugs and cash, two vehicles used in the operation were seized.
The two suspects, one of whom has a prior criminal record, have been transferred to the Regina Coeli prison following a court order. The seized accounting ledgers are now being analyzed by the Italian judiciary to identify further members of the distribution cell operating within Rome.
