Operation Rose of the Winds seized 400 tonnes of hashish, police announce
At a press conference in Palermo on 1 December 2016, police announced the results of Operation Rose of the Winds, a multinational investigation into hashish trafficking across the Mediterranean. About 30 smuggling boats were intercepted, more than 200 people arrested and 400,000 kg of hashish seized, and an alleged trafficking kingpin was arrested in Casablanca.
On 1 December 2016, investigators announced in Palermo the results of Operation Rose of the Winds, a multinational inquiry into hashishtrafficking across the Mediterranean involving police organisations from Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Morocco with Europol support.[1][2]The operation intercepted about 30 smuggling boats, led to the arrest of more than 200 people and seized400,000 kg of hashish.[1][2]
Police said the investigation had uncovered a new trafficking route carrying hashish from North Africa toward the Middle East, the Balkans and the rest of Europe.[2]Ben Zian Berhili, described as a king of hashish who allegedly coordinated about 400 tonnes of hashish trafficking in a year, was arrested in Casablanca in early October.[1]A Guardia di Finanza spokesperson said the operation represented a model for future international cooperation against drug trafficking.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
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The announced totals cover several years of operations; the sources do not break them down by individual seizure.
About 500 grams of cocaine were also reported seized; the amount is not a cannabis figure and is not recorded.
A cumulative value of 4.3 billion euros was reported for all drugs seized since 2013; it covers hashish and cocaine combined and is not recorded as a cannabis value.
The sources describe the arrest of an alleged trafficking organiser in Casablanca in early October without giving his exact arrest date or any charges or trial outcome.
Guardia di Finanza officers in Menaggio stopped a minor and seized a total of 53.9 grams of hashish from his clothing and his bedroom, along with a precision scale and wrapping material. The boy was reported to the judicial authority on suspicion of selling doses to minors in the area.
Carabinieri in Campo Tures, South Tyrol, reported a 29-year-old Italian man at liberty after seizing 127 grams of marijuana and 10 grams of hashish in personal and home searches. Hours later they seized a hidden hashish block of about 100 grams with no known owner, bringing the total to about 237 grams.
Carabinieri in Fiuggi seized about 30 grams of marijuana and dealing-related materials during a home search that followed a road check. A local man already known to police was reported at liberty for alleged possession intended for sale.
Penitentiary police seized about 40 grams of hashish hidden in hollowed Giotto coloured pencils in a registered parcel for a detainee at Pavilion C of Turin's Lorusso e Cutugno prison. No sender was identified, and the Osapp union used the find to protest staff shortages and overcrowding.
