Authorities Dismantle Albanian-Led Drug Ring in Italy, 66 Arrested in Eurojust-Coordinated Operation

Authorities Dismantle Albanian-Led Drug Ring in Italy, 66 Arrested in Eurojust-Coordinated Operation

(IN BRIEF) Authorities in Italy, Albania, Poland, and Switzerland, coordinated by Eurojust, have dismantled a major Albanian-led cocaine trafficking network. A total of 66 individuals were arrested, with 45 of them taken into custody on an action day. The criminal organization, which had been smuggling cocaine from Latin America for over four years, was primarily operating in northern Italy. Investigators seized EUR 4 million in cash, 360 kilograms of cocaine, and various luxury goods. The network also laundered profits through an Italian-Chinese organization that issued false invoices worth EUR 375 million. Eurojust and Europol provided coordination and analytical support throughout the operation, which deployed over 400 officers in Italy.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 27-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A large-scale operation targeting an Albanian-led organized crime group responsible for cocaine trafficking has resulted in the arrest of 66 suspects across Italy, Albania, Poland, and Switzerland. Coordinated by Eurojust, the operation marks a significant blow to a cocaine smuggling network that has been operating for over four years, primarily distributing drugs in northern Italy.

The criminal organization had been smuggling cocaine from Latin America, using multiple warehouses in the Brescia area to store and distribute the drugs. On the action day, 45 suspects were arrested, mostly in Italy, with another 21 individuals having been apprehended earlier in the investigation for their involvement in the group’s operations. During the raid, authorities seized EUR 4 million in cash, 360 kilograms of cocaine, luxury vehicles, high-end watches, firearms, and telecommunications equipment.

Additionally, the organization was involved in a money laundering scheme through a network of companies, run in cooperation with an Italian-Chinese enterprise that issued fake invoices worth approximately EUR 375 million to launder the proceeds from the drug trade.

Eurojust played a key role in coordinating the multi-country operation, setting up a coordination center to support the action day. Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries, provided operational coordination, and deployed an analyst on the ground in Italy to cross-check intelligence.

The authorities involved in this complex operation included the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Brescia, the Anti-Mafia District Directorate, the Guardia di Finanza in Italy, and law enforcement agencies from Albania, Poland, and Switzerland. The coordinated effort marks a significant step in dismantling one of Europe’s most prominent cocaine trafficking networks and tackling cross-border organized crime.

The operations were carried out at the request of the PPO of Brescia via the following authorities:

• Italy: PPO Brescia; Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Guardia di Finanza – Provincial Command of Brescia; Central Investigation Service for Organised Crime (SCICO), Rome; International Police Cooperation Service Liaison Bureau, Tirana
• Poland: PPO Warsaw; Central Police Bureau of Investigations
• Albania: Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK); Albanian State Police
• Switzerland: Office of Attorney-General; Federal Police (Fedpol)

Media Contact:

Eurojust Press Team
Phone: + 31 70 412 55 00
media@eurojust.europa.eu

Source: Eurojust