Institutional portal - Municipality of Milan

Milan, 9 June 2019 - An inter-force intervention in the flea market in Viale Puglie and the surrounding streets began at 8 this morning and lasted until the early afternoon. More than 50 officers were present on site, including men and women from the Local Police and Guardia di Finanza, as part of a service also shared with the State Police and Carabinieri, who provided support for public order needs.

The planned objectives were the fight against abusive and illegal trade and the verification and control of non-compliance with the rules within the space reserved for the flea market, as well as compliance with health and hygiene standards.

During the intervention, the agents seized 17 tools used on construction sites whose serial number was able to verify their furtive origin, 29 bicycles, three of which were electric bicycles of considerable value, as well as some cell phones. Counterfeit goods were also found within the area and three stalls offering new items for sale, especially clothing, were also seized, an activity not permitted in a flea market. Overall, three people were reported for receiving stolen goods and fines totaling 15.500 euros were imposed. Amsa also intervened in via Tertulliano to dispose of the goods abandoned on the side of the road.

The control activity of the area by the Local Police has never ceased in recent years. In 2019 alone, 194 agents were employed, whose activity led to 10 criminal seizures for counterfeiting and receiving stolen goods, 38 administrative seizures for illegal sales along Via Tertulliano and the discovery of 26 bicycles of furtive origin.

“Commercial illegal activity is combated with targeted services by the Local Police – said the deputy mayor Anna Scavuzzo – but this control activity needs to be strengthened to eradicate the phenomenon and enforce the law. For this reason it was decided to intervene, in agreement with the Prefecture, in an even more incisive manner together with the Guardia di Finanza and the other law enforcement agencies. This is a new piece of the broader strategy that the municipal administration has put in place to resolve the degradation and problems affecting that area. After the interventions already implemented, including the dismantling of the CAT in via Sacile, the cleaning of the neighboring area and the positioning of new new jerseys along via Varsavia on the border with the Ausonia sports centre, we intend, as today, to concentrate our efforts on the Viale Puglie markets area continuing in the coming weeks. Thanks to all the law enforcement agencies who collaborated together with the Municipality and the Local Police for this first incisive intervention. We trust that the ownership of the area will also find a way to help us combat widespread illegality which is not tolerable."