SPAK sends 2 defendants of a cocaine trafficking criminal group to trial

2026-01-09 14:56:00, Aktualitet CNA

SPAK has sent the criminal proceedings against a cocaine trafficking criminal group for trial.

They are accused of committing the following criminal offenses: "Drug trafficking", in collaboration in the form of a structured criminal group, "Structured criminal group", "Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group", provided as criminal offenses by Articles 283/a/1, 28/4, 333/a/2 and 334/1 of the Criminal Code.

Origin of the proceedings

The criminal proceedings were initiated based on the request of the Italian judicial authorities, specifically the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court of Florence, Anti-Mafia District Directorate in connection with a criminal proceeding (nr. 9740/21 RGNR mod.21). According to the request, this prosecutor's office was investigating the criminal offense of trafficking in cocaine-type narcotics, an activity that was led by a criminal group, which also included Albanian citizens, who operated in Albania (Durrës, Tirana), Latin America (Ecuador and Panama), Italy (provinces of Pisa, Piedmont and Treviso).

The criminal proceedings in Italy began after a check carried out by the Guardia di Finanza of Livorno, in the period 7-9 March 2021, during which citizens of Albanian origin were identified, caught red-handed during operations to remove a cocaine shipment coming from Latin America, in the nearby port of Labronikos (Livorno).

Investigative actions

Through covert actions with technical means (telephone and environmental interceptions and GPS geographical tracking), as well as traditional investigations (surveillance, checks, tracking, video recordings, monitoring of means of transport and information exchanges) - it became possible to identify the criminal activity of the group and the individuals involved.

The investigations in Italy were carried out by the Joint Investigation Team and included checks, surveillance, and interceptions of persons involved in this activity, entering and exiting the territory of the Republic of Albania. From these investigations, evidence was collected that confirmed the existence of a structured criminal group, whose purpose was the import and distribution of cocaine on the Italian market.

Members of the group are Albanian and Italian citizens:

Albert Turja, Roland Turja, Alfred Veshti, Klodian Veshti, Maksim Ndoci, Luca Koci, Aurel Zhupa, Ionut Pislariu, Errico D'Ambrosio, Vincenzo Di Corso, Mario Spiritoso, Fabio Consale.

They had organized a criminal structure by receiving significant cocaine shipments at the port of Livorno, which came from the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador. The quantity was purchased in Colombia and destined for members of numerous criminal groups, with members, mainly Albanians, Romanians and Italians.

Narcotics seizure episodes

19.7. 2021, at the Interpair warehouse in Guasticce (LI), – about 28 kg of net cocaine (gross weight 33.8 kg);
24.8. 2021, at the port of Livorno (LI), – about 70 kg of net cocaine (gross weight over 84 kg);
22.11. 2021, at the land border of Gaggiolo (VA) – about 11.7 kg of net cocaine (gross weight over 12 kg). The arrest of the drug courier Alberto Brandi was also carried out here, (who was prosecuted separately);
2.3. 2022, over 140 kg of cocaine (gross weight over 158.5kg) at the Reefer warehouse in the port of Livorno (LI).
5.4. 2022, in Frattamaggiore (NA) – over 400 kg of cocaine (gross weight over 489kg).
16.4.2022, in Guidonia (Rome) – over 84.5 kg of net cocaine (with a gross weight of 1,110.5 kg);
30.6.2022, in Ostia – over 4 kg of net cocaine, part of a 32 kg shipment.
9.3.2022, in Guabo, a city near the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador – 150 kg of net cocaine (over 169 kg gross).

Criminal liability of defendants

In the framework of international judicial cooperation, the Italian authorities have requested criminal prosecution in Albania for citizens Maksim Ndoci and Juljan Kollçaku, for whom the case was sent for trial on 8.1.2026.

For the defendant Maksim Ndoci, involvement in the recovery of over 140 kg of net cocaine, seized on 2.3.2022 in the port of Livorno, is proven, as well as his important role in the recovery of a quantity of around 120 kg of gross cocaine, arriving from Ecuador on 11.1.2022.

For the defendant Juljan Kollçaku, involvement in the trafficking of over 489 kg of raw cocaine, arriving at the port of Livorno on 14.3.2022, seized on 5.4.2022 in Frattamaggiore (Naples), as well as in the importation of a quantity of 32 kg of cocaine, of which over 4 kg net were seized on 30.6.2022 in Ostia, is proven./CNA