Padua: 15 kg heroin, 5 kg cocaine seized at motorway check

During a routine check at the Padua West motorway exit, customs officers from the Padua provincial command dealt a major blow to drug trafficking. Around 20 kilograms of narcotics were seized from a car with French licence plates – 15 kilograms of heroin and 5 kilograms of cocaine. Two men of Nigerian origin, who are said to be brothers and live in France, were arrested. Routine check at Padua West toll station The Guardia di Finanza carries out regular checks as part of its economic surveillance of the territory, including to combat drug trafficking and distribution in urban areas. During one such operation at the Padua West motorway exit, a vehicle with French registration was pulled over for inspection. The two occupants, both Nigerian nationals and resident in France, who turned out to be brothers, showed immediate signs of conspicuous nervousness when asked to produce identity documents and their driving licence. During a visual inspection of the licence presented, which was allegedly issued by a Polish authority, suspicion of forgery arose – which was later confirmed. Drugs hidden in spare tyre On the basis of these findings, the officers searched the vehicle. A spare tyre was noticed whose dimensions did not match those of the tyres fitted to the vehicle. After removal, the tyre appeared unusually heavy. Further inspection revealed: approximately 20 kilograms of narcotics were concealed in the inner tube chamber of the tyre, portioned into oval packages (ovuli) and stored in plastic bags of various sizes. The seizure included the drugs, the vehicle used for transport and 1,000 euros in cash. The two suspected drug mules were arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics for the purpose of distribution and use of forged documents and taken to Padua prison, where they are at the disposal of the local public prosecutor office. Note on ongoing investigations The proceedings are in the preliminary investigation phase. The accused are presumed innocent until a possible final conviction. The operation by the Padua customs officers is part of the usual economic territorial control measures and underscores the authority ongoing commitment to the rule of law and the protection of citizens. Status of report: 20 February 2026.