Rabat – A passerby identified the body of a 43-year-old Moroccan man in a car in the countryside between Cassano delle Murge and Santeramo in Colle, in the Bari region of Italy.
News outlet Baritoday said on February 1 that the man appeared to have been killed by several gunshots.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the case. Baritoday reported that the preliminary investigation shows the Moroccan man had a criminal record for drug-related offenses.
According to the Global Organized Crime Index, crimes related to human and drug trafficking are prevalent in European countries.
The report said that the coastline along the Adriatic Sea has emerged as a key hub for drug trafficking.
“Cocaine remains the most profitable and sought-after drug in Italy, owing to local demand and the interest of transnational criminal organizations,” the report said, noting that Italy has one of the highest demands for cocaine among EU member states.
In addition to cocaine, cannabis is also one of the drugs dominating the market in Italy.
The report also identified the complex network of mafia groups involved in drug trafficking.
“Ndrangheta,” a mafia group with ties to drug trafficking organizations in Latin America, is a key leader in the drug landscape in the country.
