Police have busted a group of 13
Italians and five foreigners who they suspect of setting up a
system to help migrants enter Italy permanently by organising
sham weddings with Italian citizens for payment.
Police in Rome took precautionary measures against the 18
people and carried out several raids as part of the
investigation.
The probe revealed that the group, led by two Syrians,
would organise the weddings abroad in countries including Egypt,
and then have them legalised in Italy so that residence permits
could be obtained. In return they asked for as much as 10,000
euros.
Investigators also found that the people who recruited
"fake" wives were also involved in drug dealing along the coast
between Pomezia and Rome. Police confiscated 11 kg of marijuana
and 2 kg of hash on Tuesday.
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