"Mint mouthwash and the aroma of hashish": the dentist of the stars arrested in prison

A routine check before gaining free access inside the Benevento prison, a trolley passing through the security conveyor belt and drug detection dogs pointing straight at the suitcase belonging to a 59-year-old Roman dentist, a professional with an office in the upscale area of the Capital, via del Tritone, known to a clientele of VIPs. Inside the trolley, the surprise: 93 grams of hashish, divided into five pieces, each wrapped in condoms, hidden in a package of mouthwash. A perfect hiding place, but not for the dogs of the K9 unit of the Prison Police who uncovered it on the spot. According to the initial reconstruction, the substance was intended for the inmate Giacomo Daranghi, a figure involved in Camorra contexts active in Rome and sentenced to 20 years for a murder and two aggravated injuries using mafia methods.

The arrest in prison and the seizure: what happened

The check took place at the security checkpoint of the Sannio prison. The doctor had claimed to be transporting only medical equipment for a dental visit. But the behavior of the trained dog necessitated the opening of the luggage. Inside the trolley, the agents found 93 grams of hashish concealed in the mouthwash, with the precaution of condoms to protect its smell and integrity. When asked for explanations, the professional stated that he did not know how the drugs ended up among his belongings. This version was deemed not credible by the officers, resulting in the seizure of the substance. The dentist was expected that afternoon to visit Giacomo Daranghi, a circumstance that leads investigators to consider the hypothesis of an attempt at an internal “delivery” within the prison facility.

Who is Giacomo Daranghi and why his name matters

The reference to Giacomo Daranghi is not casual: his judicial profile is well known to those following organized crime in the Capital. On May 20, 2025, the judicial chronicle of Rome established a firm point: 20 years of imprisonment for ordering the murder of the car repairman Andrea Fiore and the injuring of two people, including his brother, within a network of drug trafficking and violence characterized by mafia methods. A ruthless man and a key figure in the drug trade. 

If, as investigators believe, the hashish was indeed intended for him, the situation becomes more complicated: introduction of drugs into prison for the benefit of a significant inmate, with implications that go beyond mere possession. However, investigations are still ongoing regarding principals, payments, and intermediaries, to determine whether the dentist was a conscious carrier or if he was operating in a gray area of pressures and "favors" linked to his profession.

The concealment method: why the "mouthwash" betrays

The use of mouthwash as a container and condoms as wrapping is part of a criminal repertoire that relies on two factors: masking the smell and utilizing "neutral" objects in healthcare contexts. But while humans can be deceived, dogs work on minimal traces, and checks at entry points are designed specifically to intercept anomalies. In Campania, the Penitentiary Police have intensified the use of canine units in recent years, achieving seizures of drugs and cell phones even in the Benevento prison.

The investigative framework: accusatory hypothesis and the dentist's position

According to the thesis of the Rome Prosecutor's Office, the dentist allegedly accepted the task of introducing hashish in exchange for money. The Preliminary Investigating Judge considered the justification provided by the professional – "I knew nothing" – to be unlikely, and while recognizing his status as a first-time offender, issued a precautionary measure deemed proportionate: daily obligation to report to the judicial police, without detention.

The dentist's account: the defensive line and the gray areas

In the hours following the seizure, the dentist claimed to be unaware of the existence of the drugs in the luggage. This is a frequent defensive line, which raises the issue of trust and access to the trolley by third parties, the chain of custody of healthcare items, and the traceability of materials brought into the facility. Investigators are verifying records, movements, appointments, and the very agenda of scheduled visits, a classic path to ascertain whether there were contacts or pressures. The measure of signature obligation acknowledges the professional's lack of previous offenses, but does not mitigate the seriousness of the alleged facts, particularly regarding the hypothesized destination of the substance and the methods of concealment.

The prison remains a contested market

The economy of drug dealing does not stop at the walls: indeed, the prison is often a high-demand marketplace, where small quantities take on multiplied value and become currency for control and loyalty. This is not a problem confined to Benevento or Lazio: in 2024-2026, reports have recorded seizures of cell phones, drugs, and micro utensils manipulated in various institutions in the Mezzogiorno, with the recurring support of canine units and targeted inspections in the visiting areas. The trend is monitored and countered with specific training programs for canine handlers and incremental equipment, as noted by the Prison Police in its institutional communications regarding the expansion of anti-drug canine units.