A preliminary investigations judge in
Palermo on Thursday ordered precautionary measures to be taken
against six people suspected of supplying drugs to VIPs in the
Sicilian capital.
One of the suspects is restaurant manager Mario Di Ferro, who is
charged with procuring cocaine for a select clientèle including
the former president of the Sicilian Regional Assembly
Gianfranco Miccichè, who, however, is not under investigation.
Di Ferro was placed under house arrest.
Miccichè, a former lawmaker and government minister with
centre-right Forza Italia, is alleged to have picked up cocaine
in his official blue car, complete with flashing lights,
according to case documents.
Miccichè said he was "sorry" for Di Ferro, who he described as a
"dear friend".
"I used to go to his parties, which were always great fun,
attended by lots of people and where I never saw any drugs,"
said the politician, also "categorically rule(ing) out driving
around with a flashing light on".
"I consider it much more important in my life to have been
honest, never to have hurt anyone, never to have stolen a
penny," he said, adding that "everyone has made mistakes in
life" but that "the important thing is to have a clear
conscience, and I do".
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