Catania, Carabinieri checks: counterfeiting, illegal work, and drugs
Over 100 counterfeit products seized in the historic center: a 41-year-old man reported.
The Carabinieri of the Catania Provincial Command continue their efforts to combat economic illegality and counterfeiting. Officers from the Catania Piazza Dante station have charged a 41-year-old Catanian, based on evidence gathered to be verified in court and in accordance with the presumption of innocence until a final verdict, with the crime of introducing into the country and selling products with counterfeit markings.
The operation was triggered during a check at the man's home, where officers had gone to serve him a judicial order. During the search, the Carabinieri were drawn to the presence of numerous items of clothing, footwear, and packaging attributable to major international fashion brands.
Online sales and seizure of goods
A subsequent house search yielded dozens of designer items. According to investigators, the 41-year-old allegedly ran an online clothing and accessories business, claiming that some of the merchandise was from unsold stock intended for resale.
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However, the investigations revealed that numerous products had characteristics incompatible with genuine items: the absence of anti-counterfeit holograms, substandard finishing quality, sloppy reproductions of logos and identifying marks, and the presence of labels in Chinese and Japanese. In total, over 100 items were seized , including shoes, slippers, and clothing bearing the brands of well-known international companies.
Aci Castello, workplace inspections: two entrepreneurs reported for irregularities
The Carabinieri are also continuing their checks against illegal work and gangmastering in the tourism and hotel sector , which is particularly affected by the increase in activity during the summer season. Officers from the Aci Castello station , with the support of the Catania Labor Inspectorate , conducted inspections at two accommodation facilities in the area, reporting two entrepreneurs, a 46-year-old resident of Aci Castello and a 63-year-old resident of Ispra, in the province of Varese.
Two illegal workers and suspension of a business
During the inspections, a total of 11 workers were inspected , two of whom were found to be completely undocumented, meaning without a formal employment contract. Based on evidence gathered for judicial review, the owners are accused of violations related to the lack of employee health surveillance and the employment of illegally employed personnel.
One of the two businesses was subjected to a suspension of business activity, a measure required in the presence of serious irregularities. A total of €2.847,68 in fines was imposed , €6.400 in administrative penalties was contested , and €1.800 in unpaid social security and welfare contributions were ascertained.
Belpasso, checks for a safe summer: €16 fines and three drug-related reports.
As part of the "Safe Summer" plan , the Carabinieri of the Paternò Company have intensified checks in the Belpasso area , with a particular focus on road safety and combating drug abuse. The operation led to the identification of 62 people and the inspection of 36 vehicles , with administrative fines totaling nearly €16 . During the checkpoints, several traffic violations were discovered, including driving without insurance and driving without a license.
Particular attention was also paid to motorcyclists, especially young people, who were sometimes caught riding without a helmet. During drug checks, three people were reported to the police. Prefecture of Catania as users of narcotic substances for personal use, with the subsequent administrative seizure of the drugs.
Ramacca, drug dealing at home: two men arrested with drugs, cash, and video surveillance
In Ramacca, the Carabinieri of the Palagonia Operational Unit , with the support of the Sicilian Carabinieri Hunters Squadron , arrested two people as part of an investigation into drug dealing. The officers' attention had focused on a home on Via Ovidio, where previous surveillance had led to the hypothesis of drug sales.
The camera control system and the seized material
During the search, the Carabinieri found a 26-year-old man sitting near a table equipped with an electronic button connected to the front door. The building also had a video surveillance system with cameras positioned outside, which was reportedly monitored by a 48-year-old man.
During the searches, 10 12-gauge cartridges , €163 in cash , two precision scales, a knife with traces of hashish, marijuana, a large piece of hashish, packaging materials, three crack pipes, and 16 bottles of methadone were seized . A homemade iron truncheon covered in electrical tape was also found on the kitchen table.
Arrests validated by the Judicial Authority
The two men, already known to law enforcement from previous criminal cases, were arrested based on evidence gathered to be verified in court. The judicial authorities confirmed the arrest warrants, ordering their transfer to the Caltagirone prison.
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