The Mafia may be keeping fentanyl out of Italy

The Italian mafia may be inadvertently contributing to a reduction in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Italy by intercepting shipments of the synthetic opioid, according to a recent report. The mafia has traditionally been involved in the country's heroin trade, but has been less involved in the fentanyl market. This may be due to the fact that fentanyl is often smuggled into the country through the port of Trieste, which is heavily controlled by the Italian authorities. The mafia's absence from the fentanyl trade has allowed law enforcement to more easily detect and seize shipments of the synthetic opioid, leading to a decrease in overdose deaths. The report notes that fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Italy have decreased by 70% since 2020, which is a significant drop compared to other European countries. However, the report also warns that this trend may not be sustainable, as the mafia's involvement in the fentanyl trade could increase in the future.