19 people under investigation and subjected to search by order of the Palermo anti-mafia district directorate
The Trapani State Police carried out a series of searches in Castelvetrano, Mazara del Vallo, Partanna, and Campobello di Mazara, aimed at striking the network of supporters of the fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro and collecting further elements useful for his capture.
There are 19 suspects in the operation conducted by the State Police and coordinated by the Palermo Anti-Mafia District Directorate.
These are subjects who, over the years, have been arrested for mafia association or who have had connections and acquaintances with members of "Cosa Nostra". Among them there are also some people who, historically, have been in close relations with the fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro. Now, the Palermo Anti-Mafia District Directorate, on the recommendation of the State Police, has subjected them to a new investigation because they are suspected of facilitating the inaction of the mafia boss of the province of Trapani.
130 men from the Rome Central Operational Service, the Palermo and Trapani Mobile Squads and the Palermo Crime Prevention Department, with the support of a helicopter of the Palermo Flight Department, have searched buildings and homes of people linked to the fugitive boss. Several anti-explosive and anti-drug dog units have also been engaged.
Police investigators also used special equipment to verify the existence of cavities or hiding places inside buildings.
In January and June of last year, a total of thirty-five other mafia members had been entered in the register of suspects by the Palermo Antimafia District Directorate as supporters of the inaction of the boss Matteo Messina Denaro and had been subjected to a search by State Police investigators .