Operazione Scorpion Fish, clandestini dalla Tunisia a Marsala: “Banda pronta a imbarcare jihadisti”

At dawn this morning, the Finance Police of the Palermo Tax Police Unit, in collaboration with their colleagues from the Marsala Guardia di Finanza company, are executing 15 arrest warrants throughout Italy, following investigations coordinated by the Palermo District Anti-Mafia Directorate. These arrests concern 15 individuals of Tunisian and Italian nationality, members of a transnational criminal organization dedicated to aiding illegal immigration and smuggling foreign manufactured tobacco. The seizure of 10 cars and two boats used by the organization for illicit trafficking is also underway. The arrests are part of Operation "Scorpion Fish," carried out between January 2017 and today by the Palermo GICO in collaboration with the Marsala Company. The gang, led by Tunisian criminals with subordinate Italian members, was particularly active in carrying out a series of lucrative illegal trafficking operations between Tunisia and the Trapani coast. Using fast, offshore dinghies operated by expert "smugglers," capable of completing the journey in under four hours, they transported people able to afford the significant cost of the crossing to Italy and smuggled cigarettes into Italy. Near the beaches and landing coves, the illegal immigrants were provided with a shuttle service to the organization's logistics bases, from which the immigrants—once fed and provided with clothing—were able to freely reach their desired destinations. Those arrested are: Akremi Toumi, Angelo Allegra, Salvatore Allegra, Anis Beltaief, Nabil Ben Ahmed, Amine Ben Alaya, Fathi Ben Ammar, Helmi Bouzid, Hamadi El Gharib, Michele Graffeo, Chiheb Hamrouni, Mongi Ltaief, Giovanni Manuguerra, Sarra, and Sodi. Ten cars and two boats used for illicit trafficking are also being seized. "Just hours after Operation 'Scorpion Fish' was carried out by members of the Guardia di Finanza's Tax Police Unit, in collaboration with the Marsala Company, at the request of the Palermo Public Prosecutor's Office, I would like to congratulate, on behalf of myself and the City Council, the law enforcement agencies, Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi and his staff, as well as Guardia di Finanza General Giancarlo Trotta and the commander of the local Company, Captain Luigi Palma. This operation resulted in approximately fifteen arrests and detentions and the seizure of a significant quantity of tobacco products, dealing a devastating blow to a dangerous criminal organization whose purpose, in addition to tobacco smuggling, is to aid illegal immigration." Vincenzo Sturiano, President of the Marsala City Council Upon learning of the brilliant operation carried out this morning at dawn by the Guardia di Finanza's Tax Police unit, in conjunction with the Marsala company, on orders from the Palermo Public Prosecutor's Office, the Mayor of Marsala, Alberto Di Girolamo, stated: "I would like to express the municipal administration's and my own personal congratulations to Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, his deputies, Guardia di Finanza General Giancarlo Trotta, and Captain Luigi Palma, commander of the local Guardia di Finanza Company, for the brilliant "Scorpion Fish" operation, which led to the dismantling of a dangerous transnational organization aimed at facilitating illegal immigration and tobacco smuggling. Their commitment and dedication to upholding legality, not only deserve our gratitude, but are an example to all." The Palermo Prosecutor's Office has ordered the arrest of 15 people accused, on various counts, of transnational criminal conspiracy aimed at aiding illegal immigration and tobacco smuggling. The organization allegedly transported individuals wanted by Tunisian police on suspicion of links to jihadist terrorist organizations from Tunisia to the coast of Marsala, via speedboats. [ANSA]