New arrest in the case of cocaine trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire
In a case that rocked the Ivory Coast, an Italian man, Bartolo Bruzzaniti, was reportedly arrested in Lebanon for his alleged involvement in a vast cocaine trafficking in the country. Known as one of the main conductors of this criminal network, Bruzzaniti would have managed to escape the Ivorian police after the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine in April 2022.
Suspected of being the head of the African branch of the Calabrian mafia, Bartolo Bruzzaniti is co-owner of several pizzerias in Abidjan. His arrest in Lebanon, orchestrated by Italian police and Lebanese security forces, paves the way for his extradition to Italy, where he will likely face justice.
This arrest only confirms the predominant role of Côte d’Ivoire as a hub for cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe. The Ivorian authorities, in collaboration with Interpol and the DEA, the US drug enforcement agency, have since been carrying out an in-depth investigation to dismantle these criminal networks and put an end to these illicit activities.
It should be noted that the name of Bartolo Bruzzaniti is also linked to another case of cocaine trafficking known as “Spaghetti Connection”. This case also involves pizzeria managers and the Italian mafia, highlighting the links between criminal activities and legitimate businesses.
Despite the arrests that took place in 2022 and the prolonged imprisonment of the suspects, the trial of this extraordinary case is long overdue. The authorities continue to deploy all necessary means to ensure the continuation of this investigation and to guarantee that those responsible for this major drug trafficking are brought to justice.
In conclusion, the arrest of Bartolo Bruzzaniti in Lebanon marks an important step in the case of cocaine trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire. This testifies to the commitment of the Ivorian authorities and their international partners to fight against drug trafficking and to preserve the security and stability of the country. It is essential to continue this fight to dismantle these criminal networks and put an end to this scourge that threatens Ivorian society