OxyContin Drug Trafficking Concerns Arise in Bologna
Bologna, 27 March 2024 – Recent events in Bologna have raised concerns about the presence of the opioid painkiller, OxyContin, in the city. It is estimated that between 1999 and 2017, 500 thousand people died from drug overdoses of OxyContin in the United States. This controversial drug, classified as a narcotic substance in Italy, has also been the subject of two TV series, ‘Painkiller’ and ‘Dopesick’.
The alarm was raised on January 19th when the Flying Squad police began monitoring an Egyptian citizen suspected of dealing OxyContin in Bologna. Following reports and confidential information, the man was seen exchanging cash for 40 boxes of OxyContin at a local pharmacy without a medical prescription, sparking an investigation.
The Flying Squad reported the man and the pharmacists for drug dealing and the Parco Nord pharmacy had its activity suspended for a month. The incident has raised concerns about the presence of OxyContin in Bologna and the potential repercussions if the drug is not used for legitimate medical purposes.
In the United States, OxyContin dependence has been described as an epidemic, while in Italy, the drug has only recently made headlines. Last December, a network in Pavia was dismantled for trafficking OxyContin to the United States at exorbitant prices.
The Flying Squad continues to investigate the Egyptian citizen’s connections and the extent of OxyContin trafficking in Bologna, emphasizing the devastating effects of the drug when misused. Authorities are working to prevent further harm and ensure the safety of the community in light of these troubling developments.