They are the 22.30. Appointment in the barracks, at twenty-three. The adrenaline rises while I leave home to head for the car that will take me to the operational logistics base of the squadron of the Carabinieri hunters of Calabria which is based in Vibo Valentia.
On the road that I drive to the "Luigi Razza" Airport, I do not cross any cars. A few minutes and I find myself at the entrance to collect the "Press Pass". From the parking area I walk quickly towards the small building reserved for hunters carabinieri. The cars are covered by drops of dew. Autumn day, a wet cold.
Through the central entrance hall, lit by the lamppost of the main entrance.
I quickly climb the two flights of stairs that lead me to the corridor of the dormitories of the 1 ° platoon. There is silence. It's as if I was sneaking into someone else's house.
My room, no. 35, is near the entrance door. I wear quickly the vegetated camouflage and the amphibians.
Obviously, clothing does not confer any form of authority, for those who follow these soldiers having the same equipment means first of all adhering to precise safety rules. In order to be "in step" with the Carabinieri hunters of Calabria wearing the vegetata means respecting operational requirements: blending in with the Aspromontana vegetation in the areas where the squadrons are used.
I'm ready. I grab my military backpack full of: spare socks and sweatshirt, rainproof suit, water, handkerchiefs, wipes and ... biscuits in case of hunger pangs! Mobile in silent mode and waist pouch.
On the first floor I hear soft buzzes. I'm back at the entrance. I see an off-road vehicle with the tailgate open. I look to look inside. It is still empty. I support my backpack near the door. I understand that the others are busy in the armory: mandatory step to take all the necessary material for daily activities. Here, too, everything works for procedures.
Outside, near the fence, is Stefano, a pinned person, the driver of the vehicle. We say goodbye with a handshake. I see him turn around. The other carabinieri arrive. Marshal Salvatore B. is the squadron commander. Followed by deputy brigadiers Antonio and Calogero. Short cut with pleasantries. I met Commander Salvatore at the shooting range during Saturday morning training. Once the equipment has been loaded, we “throw” our bags behind the box. It starts with "Falco 22" as this squadron is called. The area of use is San Luca ...
The squadron helipad carabinieri hunters of Calabria is divided into 2 platoons on which a total of 12 squadrons depend: basic operational structure consisting of 4 or 5 units. Each squadron operates in a predetermined area of use: a delimited area of the Calabrian territory, over which it exercises its jurisdiction. The area of operation corresponds to the territory controlled by a dominant mafia family.
Squadrons can be used in two different ways: both in autonomous missions and in SAT missions (Territorial Weapon Support). In the first case, they carry out surveying and information gathering, relying on the various territorial competent controls. On a weekly basis the squadron commander plans the type, mode and timing of the services to be carried out, then reports to the platoon commander and to the squadron commander who authorize the activities. For the SAT missions, prior to the intervention requested, the squadron in charge performs an analysis of the problem, the recognition of the objective and then plans the activity that is coordinated with the command requesting support. In both cases, previously, during and after the activities, there is a continuous operational link between the squadron command and the territorial commands.
To avoid overlap and duplication of services, an info-operational link is also coordinated by the regional command.
During the voyage, the squadron commander begins to explain to me, what will be the commitment: it is a leaked infiltration, in an Indian cannabis plantation. The plantation was discovered following a reconnaissance activity, because in the area in which we are headed huge black bags containing Indian hemp have been found and seized, dried and ready to be sold. It was preferred for the purpose of the investigation to proceed with the seizure, given the size of the illicit. A large quantity that sold on the black market would have yielded a lot.
The cultivation of marijuana is widespread in Calabria: any land far from the world of legality is exploited by the 'reference ndrine for illegal plantations. The proceeds finance all sorts of malfeasance.
The subsequent, continuous and widespread patrolling activity carried out by the Carabinieri hunters of "Falco 22" in the area, led to the discovery of an extensive Indian cannabis plantation a few steps from where the sacks were seized. The commander, meanwhile, makes a premise: the activity could be subject to variations, in case there are other operational priorities.
On board the off-road vehicle it is silence. On the road that leads to San Luca, only the noise of the jeep engine is heard.
Is Sunday. The hunter carabiniere lives on days marked by mornings, afternoons and evenings that know no interruption. He lives to the rhythm of his tasks, at any time of day or night. At any time of the year. It is the strength of a lifestyle that, even if made up of sacrifices, pays off the work of these soldiers over time.
To get to San Luca, we take the 682 Jonio-Tirreno state road, also known as Great communication road (SGC) Jonio-Tirreno. The "Limina" connects the Locride to the Rosarno plain - Gioia Tauro, up to the southern area of the Vibonese. It joins the Tyrrhenian coast with the Ionian one passing through a tunnel just over 3 km long, under the Limina pass: it is the narrowest point of the mountain range. Precisely to contain within the limits an adequate length of the tunnel.
Monte Limina is the point where the Aspromonte ends and the chains of the Calabrian Serre start. The SGC, also dubbed "state of death", presents serious security problems. Because of the ongoing work on fire-prevention systems, the maintenance of lighting and ventilation systems, at some point we stop. The Anas operators, removed the barriers allow us to continue. After a few miles we are in San Luca.
At the entrance to the village, in Ponte Cocuzza there is a memorial monument of the young brigadier Carmine Tripodi. It is the place of his murder that occurred on 6 February of the 1985.
During his tenure as commander at the San Luca station, he had undertaken to search for the kidnapped in the den of the anonymous kidnappings and to bring their jailers to justice. Following his investigations, several members of the Calabrian mafia families involved were arrested. All this annoyed the 'Ndrangheta who saw the precious illicit activity affected. His killers, although identified, were acquitted. In 2011, during the inauguration of the barracks named after him, the mayor will offer an official apology to the family for the outrages perpetrated. Like the destruction of the memorial stone wanted by his girlfriend.
Mandatory stop, also to sip a hot coffee, is the local Carabinieri station. We restart to reach the infiltration point. The municipality of Sanlucoti is on the Ionian side, positioned at the foot of the Aspromonte massif. Destination of the activity of Falco 22 is Serra d'Ustra. With the off-road vehicle, the assigned Stefano crosses the dried up riverbed of the Fiumara Bonamico. A slalom begins between disconnected and apparently impassable mule tracks.
We stop in a pitch. We prepare the transceivers. With the squadron commander, and the deputy brigadier Antonio we start the activity of "infiltration appiedata" towards the area where the cannabis plantation is located. It is essential to follow and trample as far as possible, each the step of the other. I walk among the two carabinieri cacciatori. If it were not for the light of the moon, it would all be dark around. The commander, after short stretches, stops: consult the map IGM (Military Geographic Institute) of his GPS to identify, according to the coordinates of the plantation to reach, a descending path to travel to get to the place.
I feel my right arm seize: Antonio, the deputy brigadier who is behind me, gestures to bend his knees slightly and slightly advance his torso. It serves to remain in balance, increase the grip with the ground, and not fall. let's proceed slowly.
I have never seen such an extensive plantation of Indian hemp. It is circumscribed by a metal fence between the high oaks, well hidden among the vegetation. I crouch behind the commander. The aim is to be able to identify the possible "growers" of the plantation. Every noise breaks the silence in which we are immersed. If you succeed, then, you will proceed to eradicate all the plants and burn them on the spot.
The "Calabrian" plantations of Indian cannabis are of "absolute quality": the female plants, like those of this plantation, are full of active ingredient. They grow up to 3 or 4 m in height. They need a constant supply of water: in fact, there is a "drip" irrigation system. These are almost ready for the "harvest".
The cultivation of Indian hemp for the 'ndrangheta, is a subtle form of caporalato with a continuous jet labor. Nobody can cultivate "on their own": everything must be authorized, controlled and viewed by the monopolists of the market. There is a perfect organization chart like that of a multinational company with interests everywhere, which exploits young people in a fervent wait to climb the hierarchy of mafia power. They believe that there are no lawful alternatives to plantations. The hope is to be affiliated to a 'ndrina. In reality, they will always be interchangeable laborers to be exploited.
When climbing up steep paths, despite the freezing air, you sweat. Carabinieri hunters move between branches and uncultivated bushes with skill, despite the weight of backpacks and equipment. Each step is sure and never uncertain.
We return to the local station of San Luca. The commander of "Falco 22" goes to the station commander's office. They are the 6.50 when we arrive in Vibo Valentia.
In the morning, at the 8 ° core CC helicopters, I will follow the training activity Fast Rope, which will involve the carabinieri hunters of other squadrons.
Read more...
Also read "Harassed Squad Carabinieri Calabrian hunters (first part): beyond courage"
(photo: author)
