MILAN: Italian police said on Saturday they had arrested 384 people and seized 1.4 tons of drugs in a large-scale operation against drug trafficking.
In addition to the arrests, officers had put under investigation 655 individuals, including 39 minors, and confiscated 35 kg of cocaine and more than 40 firearms, police said in a statement.
The operation, concluded on Friday in several provinces, led to the temporary closure of five cannabis shops in three cities after 312 inspections.
During the checks, the police said they had seized 296 kg of cannabis products which initial tests had shown to be illegal drugs. Italy in June approved a security decree banning so-called “legal” cannabis and outlawing the trade of “cannabis light,” or hemp, which unlike marijuana has no psychoactive effects.
Italian police arrest 384, seize 1.4 tons of drugs in nationwide crackdown
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Italian police arrest 384, seize 1.4 tons of drugs in nationwide crackdown
Ukrainian nationals aboard seized tanker Bella-1, ambassador says
- Ukrainian diplomats were in contact with US authorities to ensure consular access to the crew members
- The Bella-1 was seized in the North Atlantic this week
WASHINGTON: Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States was quoted as saying on Friday that Ukrainian nationals were among members of the crew of the Russian-flagged tanker Bella-1, seized this week by US forces.
Olha Stefanishyna, quoted by the Interfax Ukraine news agency, said Ukrainian diplomats were in contact with US authorities to ensure consular access to the crew members.
“The embassy has the situation under control and is using all necessary means to maintain contact with the Ukrainian citizens,” Stefanishyna was quoted as saying.
The Bella-1, recently renamed the Marinera and registered as a Russian vessel, was seized in the North Atlantic this week. The US has seized five ships in recent weeks as part of efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports. The Olina was seized in the Caribbean on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the United States had released two Russian crew members from the Marinera, expressed gratitude to Washington for the decision and pledged to ensure the return home of crew members.
Russia’s Transport Ministry said on Wednesday it had lost contact with the Marinera after US naval forces boarded it near Iceland.
