The Ragusa Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into yesterday's mystery in the waters off the Ragusa coast, where, not far from the shoreline of Casuzze, a hamlet of Santa Croce Camerina, 665,000 euros in sealed containers were thrown into the sea from a motorboat that had broken down, likely having run out of fuel. Three Maltese individuals who were on board the vessel have been identified and issued administrative sanctions. Their position is being examined by the Iblea Public Prosecutor's Office, led by Francesco Puleio, which has ordered the seizure of the motorboat and the money.
The operation was launched following the intervention of the Coast Guard, which had responded to assist the motorboat after some beachgoers reported the presence of the stricken and drifting vessel, with none of those on board having called for help. As the patrol boat was approaching to assist, sealed packages were thrown overboard from the vessel and were recovered by officers with the help of beachgoers. There was great surprise when it was discovered that the packages contained banknotes. According to an initial estimate, the total amount is 665,000 euros.
At that point, an investigation was launched and both the Carabinieri and police also arrived on the scene. According to a preliminary reconstruction, on board the motorboat, which had come from Malta, were three men, originally from the Island of the Knights. Two of them reached the shore to seek help, albeit apparently in an informal manner, while the third remained on board and was the one who threw the packages of money into the sea.
The three men have been identified and reported to the Ragusa Public Prosecutor's Office, which is keen to determine the origin of the money and its intended destination and use. At present, administrative offences are being charged, but this is the first step toward shedding full light on the matter.
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