ANCONA (ITALPRESS) – A load of exceptional dimensions containing millions of detonators and hundreds of thousands of ammunition was seized at the port of Ancona under the operation “Clean Shot”, jointly conducted by the Guardia di Finanza and the Agency of Customs and Monopolies. The intervention allowed to block an illicit handling of highly dangerous material that was about to be shipped on a ferry ship destined to the exclusive transport of passengers.
The operation originated from a complex activity of prior analysis of commercial flows, based on the intersection of document data, traffic routes, volumes of goods and risk profiles. It is precisely from these tests that there have emerged anomalies related to a transport along the Italy-Greece route, formally declared as handling of “various markets”, but considered suspicious by investigators.
Thanks to the experience and deep knowledge of the harbour dynamics by the staff of the Group of the Guardia di Finanza of Ancona and the Office ADM Marche 1, the cargo has been subjected to in-depth checks. The verifications have led to the discovery of 314 thousand ammunition and 10 million and 584 thousand detonators, material traceable to two Italian companies and destined, at least according to the documentation presented, in Cyprus, considered a strategic crossroads between the Middle East and Europe.
The exploding material was about to be shipped on a ferry ship used exclusively for the transport of passengers, in clear violation of the norms in force regarding safety of navigation and handling of weapons and explosives. In fact, the legislation on this matter provides that loads of this type, by quantity, nature and degree of dangerousness, cannot be transported on passenger ships, but must follow dedicated terrestrial paths, in compliance with strict procedures and with specific prefectious authorizations.
Particularly delicate is the presence of detonators who, by their very nature, are extremely sensitive devices. These are components that can accidentally trigger in case of shocks, frictions, violent falls or exposure to heat sources. Their possible explosion on board could have caused catastrophic consequences, seriously jeopardizing the safety of the ship, crew and passengers.
It also emerged from the investigation that the carrier would make false statements at the time of the issue of the travel licence, attesting the transport of generic goods. A very serious conduct that, according to the polluters, could have determined a condition of very serious danger for the safety of navigation and for the safety of the people on board.
As a result of the investigations, the Yellow Flames and the staff of the Customs and Monopolies Agency have proceeded to the seizure of the entire load of exploding material and the auto-articolate used for transport, as well as the complaint of the carrier for detention and abusive transport of ammunition and exploding material, as well as for use of false act.
– photo press office Guardia di Finanza –
(ITALPRESS).
