Primo Magazine

80 FENTANYL VIALS STOLEN IN ROME

Italian officials have launched a high-level response following the theft of 80 vials of fentanyl from the pharmacy at Rome's Israelite Hospital, raising concerns over the security of controlled narcotics.

An emergency meeting was held Tuesday at the Prime Minister's office in Palazzo Chigi to assess the incident and coordinate a national response. Participants included Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci, President of the Conference of the Regions Massimiliano Fedriga, and Lazio Governor Francesco Rocca.

Also attending were the commander of the Carabinieri's National Anti-Drug Services Unit (NAS), the director of the Central Anti-Drug Services Directorate (DCSA), and representatives from Italy's Department for Anti-Drug Policies.
According to an official statement from Palazzo Chigi, the meeting focused on strengthening coordination among government agencies and law enforcement to address the theft and bolster safeguards for controlled pharmaceuticals.

FORMER ITALIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ARRESTED IN ALLEGED RUSSIAN ESPIONAGE CASE

Italian authorities have arrested two people, including a former member of the country's intelligence services, on allegations of passing classified information to a Russian intelligence operative, the Rome prosecutor's office announced Tuesday.

The principal suspect, identified only as a 59-year-old former officer in Italy's Carabinieri military police who previously served in the intelligence community, faces charges including the unlawful transfer of classified information and unauthorized access to government computer and telecommunications systems.

The arrests stem from an investigation launched in May 2025. Five additional individuals remain under investigation.

According to prosecutors, the former officer accepted payments in exchange for providing sensitive information to a Russian agent. Investigators allege the material was obtained through contacts with four active-duty members of the Italian military.

The Russian operative allegedly involved is protected by diplomatic immunity and cannot currently be prosecuted in Italy.

The Russian Embassy in Rome had not commented on the allegations as of Tuesday.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the investigation underscores what he described as Russia's true intentions toward Italy, whose government has provided both military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Born this day, in 1930, July 8, Jerry Vale,