Italian police have concluded another phase of a major anti-drug operation in the Abruzzo region, resulting in the arrest of nine people — eight Albanian nationals and one Italian.

The raids were carried out in the Teramo and Chieti areas in recent days, as part of a broader investigation led by the Carabinieri’s Investigative Operations Unit, in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office of Teramo.

The anti-drug operation began last year, following the arrest of a trafficker in Roseto degli Abruzzi, who was found with 1.2 kilograms of cocaine and €40,000 in cash. That case led to the uncovering of a well-structured network operating along the Teramo coast, with bases in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto, Tortoreto, Ancarano, and Sant’Omero.

According to investigators, the network was run by two Albanian families connected to each other, who had established a well-organized system for packaging and distributing cocaine.
The drugs were sold through personal contacts, mainly in nightlife venues across the region’s tourist areas.

In the first phase of the investigation, two Albanian couples were arrested. As the investigation expanded, the total number of detainees rose to nine, including four Albanian women and one Italian citizen, suspected of being part of the group.

Italian authorities have documented over 100 cases of cocaine sales.
From the arrested Italian suspect, police seized 800 grams of cocaine, followed by another 300 grams and €40,000 hidden in a secret compartment designed to evade police inspection.

The final phase of the operation took place overnight, involving around 30 Carabinieri officers from the Teramo Provincial Command, two anti-drug dog units from Chieti, and a helicopter from the 5th Carabinieri Unit in Pesaro.

During the raids, 13 homes were searched, and an additional €12,000 was seized, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking.