Italian police arrested 539 people and laid charges against 954 others in a countrywide operation focused on youth-related crime, authorities said Monday, in an effort spanning 44 provinces and encompassing searches, seizures and widespread identity checks.
Coordinated action across provinces
The operation, coordinated by the national police’s Central Operations Service, unfolded in locations authorities describe as hotspots for nightlife and drug dealing. According to the ANSA news agency, officers checked roughly 188,000 people, including more than 19,000 minors. Among those arrested were 47 minors, underscoring the youth-crime focus of the sweep.
- Arrests: 539 people, including 47 minors
- Charges: 954 individuals
- Identity checks: about 188,000 people (19,000+ minors)
- Provinces covered: 44
Online content flagged for violence
Investigators reported identifying 973 social media profiles that allegedly promoted hatred and physical violence, including content referencing the use of firearms and knives or targeting police. Two of those accounts were referred to judicial authorities for potential blocking, officials said.
Significant drug and weapons seizures
Police reported recovering more than 700 kilograms of narcotics, including substantial quantities of cocaine and cannabis products, along with a variety of other controlled substances. Officers also seized 49 firearms, ammunition, 87 bladed weapons, and 95 other objects categorized as weapons or potentially offensive. Cash totalling €307,000 (about $351,000) was confiscated, along with suspected stolen goods such as gold necklaces and mobile phones.
| Item seized | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Total narcotics | 700+ kg |
| Cocaine | 41 kg |
| Cannabinoids | 660 kg |
| Ketamine | 2 kg |
| Oxycodone pills | ~1,000 |
| Other drugs (ecstasy, MDMA, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines) | Quantities seized |
| Firearms | 49 |
| Bladed weapons | 87 |
| Other offensive objects | 95 |
| Cash | €307,000 (about $351,000) |
Inspections and searches at hundreds of sites
Authorities conducted a total of 1,182 searches. Those included 24 reception facilities for unaccompanied foreign minors, 117 amusement arcades, 543 commercial premises and several public gathering places. Police said they issued 506 administrative fines, largely for suspected drug use and the sale of alcohol to minors.
Officers also reported the recovery of suspected stolen property, citing items such as gold necklaces and mobile phones. In addition to weapons, police listed the seizure of ammunition and other objects classed as potentially offensive, although further details were not released.
Focus on minors and due process
While the operation centred on youth crime, authorities did not provide a breakdown of the specific allegations tied to each arrest or charge. Those arrested or charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Officials noted that two social media accounts identified during the probe were referred to judicial authorities for potential blocking; no broader action against online platforms was detailed.
Italian media characterised the sweep as one of broad scope, involving significant manpower and coordination under the Central Operations Service. The focus on nightlife districts and areas known for drug activity aligns with the stated aim of addressing violence and substance trafficking among young people, as well as alleged content online encouraging violent conduct, including against law enforcement.
Police did not provide a timeline for court proceedings or further phases of the operation. No information was released on injuries, use-of-force incidents or the total number of officers deployed. The figures released Monday indicate the crackdown yielded arrests, seizures and administrative penalties across dozens of jurisdictions, with minors both among those checked and among those detained.
