Milan, Sep 22 (IANS/AKI) Police in southern Italy on Tuesday smashed an alleged drug dealing gang, seizing 6,000 euros in cash and impounding cocaine, heroin and hashish.

The arrests were made in the port cities of Taranto and Bari in the Puglia region and in Potenza in neighbouring Basilicata region.

The suspects face charges of belonging to a criminal organisation and dealing in cocaine, heroin, hashish, marijuana and methadone.

Members of the alleged gang were pushing drugs daily in broad daylight in public places, and the historic centre of Taranto was its operational hub, according to investigators.

The gang was well organised, with its various members specialising in debt collection, drug pushing and transportation and looking out for police, said investigators.