Police in Taranto have arrested a 17-year-old suspected of drug dealing, after finding about 75 grams of hashish in his underwear. Officers from the Squadra Volante, acting on services ordered by the Questore of Taranto to crack down on street-level spaccio around young people, focused on commercial self-service venues operating 24 hours a day. In Via Dante, police spotted a group of youngsters near one of these h24 self-service businesses. Their behaviour and an alleged exchange between two minors prompted a stop and search. During the check, officers recovered 15 paper-wrapped packets hidden in the teenager’s intimate clothing. The packets contained roughly 75 grams of hashish, along with 40.00 euros in small banknotes, which police described as likely proceeds from dealing. Police also examined the teenager’s smartphone, where they found numerous messages from alleged buyers seeking to purchase a daily dose of the drug. Another youth handed over a heat-sealed packet containing just under half a gram of cocaine. That boy was reported to the relevant administrative authority as an alleged drug user. The investigation papers were sent to the judicial authority. The 17-year-old was arrested and placed under house arrest while the case is processed. The matter remains under judicial review, with the suspected offender having the presumption of innocence until an irrevocable conviction is reached.