Major Drug Bust in Cuneo: 11 kg of Cocaine Seized, Three Arrested in "Up & Down" Operation

Background of the Investigation

The investigation began in February 2026 in the town of Bra, near Cuneo, after residents reported unusual foot traffic at an apartment building near the train station. The apartment, known locally as "i sali" (the "up-and-down"), became the focal point of the police inquiry.

On February 11, officers observed a vehicle quickly delivering a plastic bag to a known drug dealer. This led to a raid on the apartment, where police had to break down a reinforced door fitted with solid wooden beams. During the raid, one suspect escaped by jumping from a 4-meter-high balcony onto railway tracks, while Arsildo Dedaj was arrested in possession of 8 cocaine bricks stamped with the "Gucci" logo.

The Logistics Network

The investigation later identified Albert Biba, a 47-year-old from Cuneo with a prior drug conviction in 2019, as a key figure in the supply chain. Biba used vehicles registered to straw men, with secret compartments built into the seats capable of holding 12–13 kg of drugs. Police documented that he could travel up to 800 km in a single day to supply the trafficking network.

On June 1, after a trip to the Milan hinterland, Biba was intercepted and found with an additional 1 kg of cocaine hidden in his vehicle's secret compartments.

Digital Marketing of Drugs

The group used messaging apps to alert customers about new shipments, using coded phrases such as *"È arrivata neve fresca"* ("Fresh snow has arrived"). This modern approach to drug distribution reflects a growing trend among criminal networks to leverage digital platforms.

Official Statements

During a press conference on July 24 at the Cuneo Police Headquarters, Prosecutor Biagio Mazzeo praised the collaboration between citizens and law enforcement: *"What I want to emphasize is the importance of citizen reports and complaints. Police review all of them, analyze them, and often these reports can lead to very important results, as in this case."*

Questore Rosanna Minucci described the group as *"unscrupulous drug trafficking entrepreneurs"* and noted that the operation dealt a severe blow to organized crime in the area.

What was the "Up & Down" operation?

It was a police investigation conducted by the Cuneo Mobile Squad, targeting a drug trafficking network operating between Milan and Piedmont. The name refers to the constant coming and going ("sali e scendi") at the apartment used as a drug distribution hub in Bra.

How much drugs were seized and what is their value?

Approximately 11 kg of cocaine (high purity) and 0.5 kg of marijuana were seized, valued at around €4 million on the illicit market (equivalent to 55,000 doses).

What does "Gucci" cocaine mean?

The cocaine bricks were stamped with the "Gucci" logo, likely a brand mark used by the criminal network to distinguish their product. This branding tactic is sometimes used by traffickers to indicate quality or origin.

How did the police discover the operation?

The investigation began after residents reported suspicious activity near the Bra train station. Reports were submitted through the Youpol app, a digital tool allowing citizens to report crimes directly to the police.

Do you think community reporting tools like the Youpol app are effective in combating drug trafficking? Have you ever witnessed suspicious activity in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts below!

*Share this with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*

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