(ANSA) - TRIESTE, JUN 7 - Closing and controlling the 232-kilometer border with Slovenia cost at least 20 million euros, including 18.7 million euros to pay the travel expenses of agents sent to Friuli Venezia Giulia to reinforce the Border Police. The remaining 1.7 million, however, was spent on logistics and equipment. This is the estimate calculated by an investigation by the newspaper Il Piccolo and published today in Nem Group newspapers since the closure of the crossings on October 21, 2023, two and a half years ago. Estimate to which the costs of extending the suspension of the Schengen Treaty to Dec. 18 should be added. From the columns of the same newspaper, days ago, following the European Commission's warning to nine countries including Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi had called the measure a "fundamental pillar" and one that led to 658 arrests, 280 of which were for aiding and abetting illegal immigration. The newspaper reports that however, the number of passeurs arrested is in line with trends prior to the border clampdown. According to the investigation's findings, 231 State Police officers, including 30 Border Patrol officers, 35 Carabinieri, and 75 Guardia di Finanza soldiers are engaged in daily services. A considerable deployment but not enough given the large area to be monitored. Moreover, if the main crossings (such as Fernetti and Rabuiese) are always manned, much less incisive presences are at the numerous secondary entrances. The Siulp police union called the monitoring a "sieve." In addition to the cost of travel and lodging for the operators, the expense of renting containers used as offices is also considerable (about 200 thousand euros per' year), along with gazebos, chemical toilets, light towers, electricity and connections, and water supply. (ANSA).