International Operation Halts Albanian-Led Cocaine Trafficking Ring with 29 Arrests Across Europe

International Operation Halts Albanian-Led Cocaine Trafficking Ring with 29 Arrests Across Europe

(IN BRIEF) An international operation coordinated by Eurojust and Europol has disrupted a major Albanian-led drug trafficking network, leading to the arrest of 29 suspects across Italy and Albania. The operation, which began with investigations in 2021, uncovered cocaine concealed in containers of exotic fruits shipped from South America to Italy, with the drugs distributed to other criminal groups upon arrival. Searches in France, Romania, and Spain supported evidence collection, and over two tonnes of cocaine, along with other drugs, were seized. The investigation involved multiple international law enforcement agencies working in close coordination.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 7-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A coordinated international operation led by Eurojust and Europol has dismantled a major drug trafficking network transporting large quantities of cocaine from South America to Italian seaports. The operation led to the arrest of 29 individuals connected to an Albanian-led criminal group, with arrests conducted in Italy and Albania and searches carried out across France, Romania, and Spain to collect further evidence. This successful crackdown followed years of collaborative investigations, supported by joint investigation teams (JITs) and financed by Eurojust.

The organized crime group (OCG) was deeply involved in the wholesale drug market in Italy, using shipping containers filled with exotic fruits to conceal cocaine. Once these shipments arrived in Europe, specialized teams would retrieve the drugs for distribution to other criminal groups. The seized drugs have an estimated value of EUR 70 million.

The investigation began in 2021, led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Florence, Italy. Authorities used encrypted communications on the SkyECC network to gather intelligence. With Eurojust’s support, coordination meetings between international authorities were held, and a coordination center was set up at Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague to monitor the operation.

The operation led to the seizure of over two tonnes of cocaine, along with quantities of hashish and marijuana. Arrest warrants were issued globally via INTERPOL, facilitated by Italy’s Central Service for International Police Cooperation, enabling simultaneous actions in five countries.

Authorities involved included Italy’s Guardia di Finanza and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services, Albania’s Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, France’s Judicial Court of Lyon, Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office in Tarragona, and Romania’s Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism.

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Eurojust Press Team
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Source: Eurojust