Migrant trafficking and arms trafficking, 17 detentions – Sicily

(ANSA) – PALERMO, JULY 2 – The Carabinieri of the Information Unit of Palermo arrested, at the disposal of the DDA, 17 people accused, for various reasons, of badociation for transnational crime aimed at facilitating illegal immigration, arms trafficking and recycling of diamonds, gold and cash. The criminal organization had relations with Cosa Nostra, to whom it sold weapons, and with the Albanian paramilitary New UCK, linked to jihadist circles.
The organization managed the movements of migrants on the Balkan route. Throughout Italy, dozens of people, thanks to the group, have tried to reach
Switzerland and Northern Europe. The criminal structure, which belonged to suspects resident in Palermo, also expanded its operations in the provinces of Sondrio, Como, Pordenone and Siena, as well as in Switzerland, Germany, Macedonia and Kosovo. Details of the blitz will be shown at 10:30 am at a press conference at the Carini Barracks, seat of the Provincial Rifle Command