Milan drug conference highlights criminal networks and mourns anti-mafia witness's daughter suicide
A drug-policy conference at the University of Milan was disrupted by the suicide of Denise Cosco, daughter of murdered anti-mafia witness Lea Garofalo.
The University of Milan hosted the "I MERCATI INTERNAZIONALI DELLE DROGHE" conference, focusing on the global drug trade and its links to organized crime, prison networks, and recruitment from state police forces. Brazilian prosecutor Corina Rodrigues de Senna highlighted the international backlash against aggressive police tactics in Rio's favelas, recalling the deadly "Operação Contenção" of October 2025. Academics such as Robert Feustel and Oxford's Federico Varese argued that prohibition creates the problems it aims to solve, while drug dealers favor non-violent dispute resolution, particularly for cocaine.
Alessandro Vento pointed to the growing ease of buying drugs online via the deep web. The gathering was tragically marked by the suicide of Denise Cosco, daughter of slain anti-mafia witness Lea Garofalo, prompting grief from organizers like Nando dalla Chiesa and Libera's Don Luigi Ciotti. Authorities are now probing any culpability in her death. The conference was funded by the Università degli Studi di Milano.
Why it matters
The story shows how drug policies, organized crime and anti-mafia efforts intersect, with personal tragedy highlighting systemic risks.
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