A massive underground river of money capable of moving 80 to 100 million euros each year without leaving a trace in formal financial systems. This is the estimated turnover of the clandestine bank, which was recently dismantled in a massive combined operation by the Florence District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) and the Prato Public Prosecutor's Office. The inquiry found a complex concealed payment system based on "hawala"—known in Asian circles as "chop-shop"—which was used to launder drug trafficking revenues, settle unlawful commercial transactions, and finance human trafficking. The military carried out 41 preventive actions, including 17 prison transfers and 16 house arrests, as well as a precautionary seizure order for assets valued almost 60 million euros. According to the prosecution's argument, which was supported by the investigating judge and aggravated by mafia facilitation, the abusive financial system served at least three distinct international criminal organizations. The subterranean cash flows began principally in the heart of the Prato textile district and were subsequently transported around Europe via a complex network of messengers. The illicit money was transported by road between Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal, mixing with the earnings of fast fashion enterprises on the Iberian Peninsula. Albanian drug traffickers were among the most active clients, using the alleged Italian-Chinese bank's routes to regulate narcotics shipments and export illicit capital abroad. The investigations also revealed a clandestine immigration network from China. The group was in charge of moving migrants to Italy, first through Serbia and then, via the Balkan route, Hungary and Slovenia. Once in Italy, they were sent to key production hubs including Prato, Turin, and Sommacampagna. A vicious and lucrative profession, with traffickers demanding around €9,500 each person. Investigators believe that today's arrests and seizures have delivered a serious blow to the financial backbone that fuels organized crime in Italy and around the world.