Air Force trafficking probe closed

(ANSA) - Varese, August 23 - Finance police said Tuesday they have closed an airplane parts and drug trafficking investigation into three Air Force officers, one of whom was arrested last year. In Italy, the announcement of the closure of an investigation is usually a prelude to an indictment.
    The officers might now face charges of racketeering with intent to embezzle military equipment.
    A total of 14 suspects were investigated, nine of them arrested.
    The racketeers trafficked air force parts, both mechanic and electronic, on what investigators say is a "parallel market".
    A civil aviation employee who acted as a broker was among those arrested after he was caught red-handed receiving stolen airplane parts from the arrested Air Force marshal at Rome's Ciampino airport.
    The operation led to the seizure of two containers containing airplane parts, and, separately, of 3.5 kilos of cocaine, 2.3 kilos of marijuana, 253 grams of hashish, 500 ecstasy pills, 17,000 Swiss francs, for cars, and a revolver.
    The drugs were smuggled into Italy from Portugal for resale in Lombardy and Switzerland, police said.
    Further airplane parts were found stashed away in the offices and homes of another two officers.