A structured group, based in Sardinia, would have planned a double heist: first the assault on a van transporting gold from the San Gavino foundry, in Sardinia, towards a vault in Arezzo, with a load estimated at around six million euros; then, having assessed the greater profitability, the idea of directly hitting the vault of the same foundry, where the quantities of precious metals stored are much more substantial than those moved by individual armored vehicles.
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The arrested and the role of the insider
The people arrested come from the Nuorese area – in particular from Fonni, Arzana, Desulo and Villanovatulo – as well as from the province of Cagliari. According to investigators, the group could have relied on an insider within the San Gavino foundry, an employee of Portovesme Srl, who would have provided crucial confidential information: photographs of the armored vans, access details, internal routes, security systems, and sensitive points of the structure. The charges include attempted robbery, carrying and possession of weapons and explosives, in addition to the receiving of stolen vehicles intended for the assault. Investigators believe that the organization was ready to use weapons, explosives, and heavy vehicles to overcome the vault’s defenses.
The logistical bases and planning
The criminal network would have set up several operational bases: one near San Gavino, one in the area of Isili – where ten stolen vehicles were found, including a tow truck, then transferred to the territory of Busachi – and one in Fonni, indicated as a location for operational meetings intercepted by investigators. From Busachi, the commando tasked with intercepting the armored van along the S.S. 131, during the journey towards Olbia, was supposed to depart. This phase, investigators explain, was already fully monitored, indicating that the plan had reached an advanced stage.
The State Police operation
The raid was launched at dawn, involving approximately 130 State Police officers. Participants included:
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- the Central Operations Service of the Ministry of Interior
- the Sardinia Crime Prevention Department
- the NOCS, ready to intervene in case of assault
- the UOPI
- the Flight Department
- the Flying Squads of Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, and Oristano
- the Cagliari Police Headquarters Patrols
- the Police Stations of Carbonia, Iglesias, Lanusei, Gavoi, Ottana, and Orgosolo
- the S.I.S.C.O. of Cagliari
- the K9 units
- the Regional and Provincial Scientific Police Offices
For the first time in Sardinia, article 628 bis of the penal code was applied, relating to assaults on armored vans and banking institutions.
The judicial coordination
The complex and articulated operation was announced by the Public Prosecutor of Cagliari, Rodolfo Sabelli. The coordination was entrusted to the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Cagliari, with the involvement of the Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Cagliari, Nuoro and Lanusei. Eleven precautionary measures were carried out, ordered by the GIP of the Cagliari court. The suspects were transferred to their respective Prisons.
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