Operation “Pullo”: 21 suspects in Lamezia case

In the southern Italian city of Lamezia Terme, an extensive anti-drug investigation has entered a new stage. According to the competent police units, a total of 21 people are under investigation at the end of the operation called "Pullo." The inquiry, launched in 2021, targeted structures allegedly specialized in trafficking and distributing multiple narcotic substances. In addition to drug-related offenses, the case also includes allegations concerning unlawful possession of weapons and ammunition.

A multi-year investigative build-up

Investigators relied on several methods over an extended period to reconstruct the suspected network. These included technical surveillance as well as direct observation, checks, and tailing operations. By combining these tools, authorities say they were able to form a detailed operational picture. During the investigation, officers repeatedly seized narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, hashish, and marijuana. From the investigators’ perspective, these seizures supported the assumption that this was not a series of isolated incidents but an organized distribution structure.

Core areas and alleged distribution routes

The core of the alleged activities was reportedly in Lamezia Terme, especially in Sant’Eufemia. A central sorting and handover point is said to have been located there, supplying retail-level dealers. According to police findings, street-level dealing then took place in several urban areas, including Nicastro and Sambiase. Neighboring municipalities were also cited as locations where distribution was allegedly observed.

Places mentioned in the investigation include Falerna, Gizzeria, Curinga, and Nocera Terinese. The geographical spread, authorities say, suggests a structure rooted locally but operating across multiple nearby zones at once. For investigators, this was essential to reconstructing the alleged supply chain from procurement to retail sale.

Division of roles inside the group

According to the case file, investigators identified signs of a clear division of tasks within the alleged network. Some members are said to have handled supplier relations, while others allegedly stored and concealed narcotics. Officers highlighted that drugs were reportedly hidden in buried containers on agricultural land. Those areas near Pullo were allegedly used not only as hiding spots but also as logistical bases.

Authorities consider this an indicator of planned conduct and of attempts to reduce detection risks. At the same time, the records suggest that the alleged operations were maintained over a prolonged period, indicating a potentially stable structure.

Seizures and latest operational steps

During the operation, police reportedly seized more than one kilogram of various drugs, including marijuana, heroin, and hashish. In addition, investigators documented the existence of a marijuana plantation in the Caria area, also within Lamezia Terme, which had already been seized in 2021. That finding is presented in the proceedings as another key element showing the scope of the alleged activity.

During service of notices and searches carried out in the morning, further actions followed. Authorities state that one suspect was arrested in flagrante delicto. Additional individuals were reported for alleged drug possession without immediate detention measures in those specific cases. The case therefore remains active as prosecutors assess subsequent legal steps based on the collected evidence.

Units involved and regional coordination

Beyond officers from Lamezia Terme, additional units took part in the operation. Authorities cited railway police personnel from Vibo Valentia, Reggio Calabria, and Palermo, as well as crime-prevention units from Vibo Valentia, Cosenza, and Siderno, plus officers from the Bovalino police station. The broad inter-unit participation underlines the organizational scale of the action.

For law enforcement, the case illustrates how investigations into allegedly networked drug crime are developed in stages: long-term intelligence gathering, operational raids, and then legal evaluation. Whether and to what extent the allegations against the 21 suspects are confirmed in court will be determined in the next procedural phases.