Operation Driver
News of
Operation Driver is an investigation by Turin's Flying Squad (Squadra Mobile) into alleged drug trafficking with an operational base in the Province of Turin and branches in Liguria, Lombardy, Veneto and Lazio. The inquiry, coordinated by the Turin public prosecutor's office (Procura della Repubblica) led by Giovanni Bombardieri, was carried out between 2024 and 2025 through wiretaps and surveillance, with support from the Central Operations Service of the Central Anti-Crime Directorate and the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services. [1][2]
The precautionary measures
In the days before 6 November 2026, the State Police carried out an order from the preliminary investigations judge (gip) of the Turin Court imposing six precautionary measures, including pre-trial detention, house arrest and a daily reporting obligation to the judicial police. The measures target three Moroccan nationals, one Albanian national and two Italian nationals, strongly suspected, in various roles and acting in concert, of illegally trafficking large quantities of drugs. Three of the six had already been arrested in the act during the investigation. [1][2]
Alongside the execution of the measures, police carried out numerous home searches, during which an Italian national was arrested in the act after being found in possession of about 500 grams of hashish, 250 grams of marijuana and 7 grams of cocaine, which investigators say were intended for dealing. [1]
The network between Piedmont and other regions
According to investigators, the organisation had its operational base in the Province of Turin and a supply and distribution network extending to Liguria, Lombardy, Veneto and Lazio, engaged in importing and distributing hashish, marijuana and cocaine. [1][2]
Overall tally
Over the course of the entire investigation, carried out between 2024 and 2025, a total of 21 people were arrested, including the six reached by the precautionary measures of November 2026. Seizures totalled more than 780 kilograms of drugs: about 700 kilograms of hashish, 70 kilograms of marijuana, 14 kilograms of cocaine and 500 ecstasy pills. Four handguns complete with ammunition, found to have been stolen, were also recovered. [1][2]
Sources
- TorinoOggi — 6 November 2026
- ANSA Piemonte — 6 November 2026