Father and son arrested for 4.5 kilos of marijuana in a farmhouse in Paternò

Last Updated: October 22, 2023

The Carabinieri of the Paternò Company, supported by the soldiers of the Sicilian Helicopter Squadron Hunters, arrested a 51-year-old man and his 24-year-old son in flagrante delicto for drug trafficking. The older man, who had a criminal record including association with the Assinnata clan of Paternò, tied to the Santapaola Ercolano family of Catania, was caught with numerous previous convictions for mafia-related crimes. The Carabinieri had conducted searches to locate drug hideouts and discovered a vacant farmhouse suspected of containing drugs. The soldiers observed a man and a woman, identified as the husband and wife, arriving at the farmhouse in a vehicle. The Carabinieri intervened and searched the building and surrounding area, finding 4.5 kilograms of marijuana hidden in sealed packages. They also found packaging materials in the car. The son, who was present during the search, claimed ownership of the drugs, and both father and son were arrested. The father was sent to Catania Bicocca prison, while the son was placed under house arrest.