New arrest in the case of cocaine trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire
The cocaine trafficking case in Ivory Coast continues to make waves with a recent new arrest. Bartolo Bruzzaniti, an Italian man suspected of being one of the main conductors of this vast network, was apprehended in Lebanon by Italian police and Lebanese security forces.
In April 2022, more than two tons of cocaine had been seized in Abidjan and San Pedro, triggering a series of arrests in Ivorian business circles. At the time, Bartolo Bruzzaniti, who was co-owner of several pizzerias in Abidjan, had managed to leave the country before being captured by the authorities. Since then, the Ivorian authorities have been asking for his arrest and extradition, considering him to be responsible for the “African branch” of the Calabrian mafia.
Finally, after fleeing to Lebanon, Bartolo Bruzzaniti was arrested and will probably be tried in Italy. His name is also linked to another cocaine trafficking case known as “Spaghetti Connection”, involving pizzeria managers and the Italian mafia.
This new arrest highlights the role of Côte d’Ivoire as a hub for cocaine trafficking between South America and Europe. Investigations by Interpol and the DEA, the American drug trafficking service, are continuing in collaboration with the Ivorian authorities. However, despite the arrests in 2022, the trial of this complex case is still pending.
The original article published by François Hume-Ferkatadji highlights the importance of this arrest in the fight against drug trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire. This highlights the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat this scourge, which has both security and socio-economic repercussions.
In conclusion, this new arrest in the case of cocaine trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire shows that efforts to put an end to this illicit trade are continuing. It is essential to continue to invest in international cooperation and to strengthen measures to combat drug trafficking to ensure the safety and well-being of the Ivorian population.