Colombian authorities have successfully apprehended Emanuele Gregorini, the Italian fugitive alleged to be a key player in an international cocaine trafficking network. He was located in Cartagena during a coordinated operation involving police forces from Colombia, Italy, and the UK. Gregorini, who has been evading law enforcement since 2023, is accused of orchestrating drug shipments from Colombian ports to Europe and is linked to an alliance of notorious mafia organizations. His capture illustrates the growing footprint of Italian criminal networks in South America, marking a significant challenge for local law enforcement.
Italian Mafia Boss Captured in Colombia: A Major Blow to Organized Crime
Italian Mafia Boss Captured in Colombia: A Major Blow to Organized Crime
Emanuele Gregorini, known as "Dollarino," arrested in Cartagena, signifies rising Italian mafia presence in Latin America.
Colombian national police have confirmed the arrest of Emanuele Gregorini, a notorious Italian fugitive suspected of directing cocaine shipments to Europe from Latin America. Known in criminal circles as "Dollarino," Gregorini was taken into custody in the coastal city of Cartagena, following a thorough investigation involving collaborations between Colombian, Italian, and British authorities. His apprehension marks a pivotal moment in the battle against transnational organized crime, with Gregorini being viewed as a principal figure within a broader "Lombardy mafia system."
The Colombian police chief, Carlos Triana, emphasized the importance of this arrest, describing it as a “severe blow” to both local and international crime syndicates. The investigation revealed that Gregorini had strategically maintained a low profile while residing in Cartagena, frequently visiting neighborhood gyms and restaurants without suspicion. His activities underline the growing adaptability of European mafia factions, which are increasingly establishing their own operations in Latin America instead of relying on intermediaries to manage drug trafficking.
Research from Insight Crime indicates that Italian mafia groups have notably strengthened their presence in Colombia and Brazil in recent years. This development poses significant challenges for authorities struggling to combat the influx of organized crime in the region. In a related incident, another high-profile mafia figure, Luigi Belvedere, was arrested in Medellín, where he was found posing by the grave of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar, shedding further light on the connection between European crime networks and Latin America’s drug trade.
Colombian law enforcement's success in detaining Gregorini signifies a critical step toward dismantling the intricate web of international drug trafficking and will likely trigger further scrutiny of the Italian mafia’s expansion in South America.
The Colombian police chief, Carlos Triana, emphasized the importance of this arrest, describing it as a “severe blow” to both local and international crime syndicates. The investigation revealed that Gregorini had strategically maintained a low profile while residing in Cartagena, frequently visiting neighborhood gyms and restaurants without suspicion. His activities underline the growing adaptability of European mafia factions, which are increasingly establishing their own operations in Latin America instead of relying on intermediaries to manage drug trafficking.
Research from Insight Crime indicates that Italian mafia groups have notably strengthened their presence in Colombia and Brazil in recent years. This development poses significant challenges for authorities struggling to combat the influx of organized crime in the region. In a related incident, another high-profile mafia figure, Luigi Belvedere, was arrested in Medellín, where he was found posing by the grave of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar, shedding further light on the connection between European crime networks and Latin America’s drug trade.
Colombian law enforcement's success in detaining Gregorini signifies a critical step toward dismantling the intricate web of international drug trafficking and will likely trigger further scrutiny of the Italian mafia’s expansion in South America.
