“I think I burned my life,” Roberto Saviano tells French senators

Under protection since his revelations on mafia practices and drug trafficking 20 years ago, Roberto Saviano explains to French senators that it is up to political power to take measures, and defends the legalization of cannabis.

On screen, from Rome, where he addresses senators through a screen, we see nothing of the security system surrounding Roberto Saviano: armored cars and seven bodyguards who accompany him every day. It only shows his face, with his shaved head and his salt-and-pepper beard.

A price has been put on his head for almost 20 years, since the shocking revelations in his book Gomorra about the Neapolitan mafia. Italian writer and investigative journalist Roberto Saviano spoke by videoconference on Monday, February 26, in front of the Senate. He spoke as part of the work of the Commission of Inquiry into the impact of drug trafficking in France and the measures to be taken to remedy it.

From the outset, Roberto Saviano wants to make the senators understand what the cocaine market brings in.

“1,000 euros invested today in shares on the stock market brings in 1,100 euros after a year, if things go rather well. 1,000 euros invested in the cocaine market brings in 182,000 euros at the end of a year.”

Roberto Saviano

facing French senators

Roberto Saviano believes that France is particularly affected by drug trafficking. And in particular Marseille, which he calls the twin of Naples. He adds that no political group is tackling it
because the subject does not excite public opinion. However, according to him, it is all of Europe that must unite to implement an anti-mafia policy.

Legalize cannabis to keep it away from hard drugs

Facing the senators, Roberto Saviano also defended the legalization of cannabis. Hard drugs represent 40% of drug trafficking revenues, according to the Italian journalist. Legalizing cannabis would be a blow to their economy, as was the case in the United States and Uruguay.

“With legalization, criminal organizations must give up money, but also spacessays Roberto Saviano. This is not always the case, but sometimes those who smoke marijuana then move on to cocaine, then heroin. When it happens like this, it’s because the same dealer supplies both substances. With legalization, this situation disappears.”

A costly struggle

In Italy, despite political and legislative efforts, the anti-mafia fight lacks resources. Justice is still too slow, civil society is in crisis, according to Roberto Saviano. Few citizens get involved and those who do pay a high price.

“I think I burned my life myself. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing. I was romantic. Maybe I was stupid. I was 26 and I found myself in this situation. Today, I am 40 years old and I am still in the same situation, unfortunately”, explains Roberto Saviano. He repeats it again in front of the French senators, it is up to political power to act.