REGGIO CALABRIA -- A startling 385 kilograms of cocaine (with an estimated value of 77 million euros) have been recovered from the hands of the ‘ndrangheta mafia in the Calabrian port of Gioia Tauro, found parcelled in bags attached to buoys in the sea, police sources say Thursday.

 So far a total of nine have been arrested, members of the crew of a container ship from Brazil. The drugs were to have been passed through Europe and the Calabrian organised crime group, the ‘ndrangheta, would have profited a sum of 77 million euros.

 The port of Gioia Tauro is allegedly one of the most infamous ports for cocaine arriving in Europe. A total of 16 bags attached to buoys were found stuffed with cocaine, retrieved by the police.

 The ‘Rio’ operation, carried out by the Financial Guard of Reggio Calabria, the region’s Operative Command of Sea Practice and the Aero-naval department of Vibo Valentia and Palermo, have brought nine people to arrest, all belonging to the crew of a container ship from Brazil heading directly to Gioia Tauro.

 The investigation by the anti-mafia District Attorney’s office in Reggio Calabria have managed to demonstrate just how the transport of 385 kilograms of cocaine was rendered possible, thanks to the compliance of the naval crew.

 The substance abandoned inside the impermeable bags, if not intercepted by the police, would have been rapidly collected by the gang in order to avoid anti-drug controls on the dock.

 Sources claim the ‘ndrangheta would have profited 77 million euros if all had gone according to plan.

 The inspection carried out by the Financial Guard is now concentrating upon the crew members of the container ship under investigation, of which all individuals originate from the island of Kiribati, joined by some of Calabrian origin linked to the most notorious mafioso families in the Reggio province.

 The prosecution for the case is headed by Federico Cafiero De Raho and Ottavio Sferlazza.

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