REGGIO CALABRIA (ITALPRESS) – A massive operation by the Carabinieri Corps has led to the arrest of nine people, all of whom have previous convictions for crimes against property and persons. The raid, which involved more than 100 Carabinieri personnel, was concentrated in the Arghillà neighborhood. The investigation, carried out by the Reggio Calabria Carabinieri Company between November 2024 and March 2025 under the coordination of the Reggio Calabria Public Prosecutor’s Office headed by Giuseppe Lombardo, made it possible to reconstruct the intense network of trafficking and possession of clandestine weapons, highlighting the leading role of the criminal group in the procurement and distribution of illegal armaments.
The arrestees were able to procure and move a vast arsenal with ease, thanks to solid ties with other underworld organizations and a dense network of accomplices. The Armed Forces determined how the group had established a well-organized system for transporting and storing weapons, taking advantage of private homes, warehouses, and even abandoned buildings. The logistics of the criminal syndicate were such that weapons were moved quickly from one place to another to evade possible law enforcement checks. In addition, the investigation revealed how arms trafficking was closely linked to other illegal activities, including extortion and settling scores.
The investigation documented several incidents of violence: on several occasions, shots were fired in public places, generating danger for the local population. The weapons were used to settle disputes between rival groups and for acts of intimidation, contributing to a climate of high tension in the neighborhood. Investigators determined that the criminal group had numerous hiding places, exploiting garages, attics, and common areas to conceal their arsenal and make it immediately available when needed.
The operation had already led in recent months to the seizure of dozens of rifles and pistols, of different calibers and models, including homemade weapons that had been modified to increase their power. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were also recovered, including cartridges for automatic and assault weapons. The most alarming seizure involved the discovery of bricks of TNT with detonators and electrical components, highly dangerous material ready to be used in the making of remote-controlled explosive devices. The arsenal was well stored and constantly replenished, a sign of meticulous management by the criminal organization.
photo: press office Carabinieri
(ITALPRESS).
