Police divers have discovered more than half a million dollars worth of hashish hidden in a cave on the picturesque Italian island of Ponza. The authorities seized 330 blocks of the drug, weighing 40 kilograms (88 pounds) in total, from a cave accessible only by sea.
Operation Details
Police on Ponza, a popular vacation spot for the rich and famous known for its spectacular cliffs, told CNN Wednesday that they had been watching the mouth of the cave in the Chiaia di Luna area. The 4th Naval Unit Squad of the Gaeta Naval Operations worked with the Ponza branch of the Guardia di Finanza financial police. A video published by the authorities showed police divers accessing the tiny cave from a boat.
Intended for Summer Tourist Season
Authorities believe the drugs, estimated to have a street value of more than half a million dollars, were intended for the summer tourist season, which is due to kick off with a three-day holiday this weekend. The Guardia di Finanza said in a statement Tuesday that the seizure was made by cave divers who accessed a tunnel to get to the cave.
Investigation and Monitoring
“The investigative activity, carried out through intelligence services, territorial observation, and monitoring of suspicious movements, led to the identification of a significant quantity of narcotics intended to fuel the illicit market during the summer season,” they said. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
