36 imports, 1 ton of cocaine, 1 ton of hashish, 1 million euros under seizure/ Trafficking network with Albanians hit

2023-06-26 09:49:00, Kronika CNA

36 imports, 1 ton of cocaine, 1 ton of hashish, 1 million euros under seizure/

Eurojust and Europol have supported judicial and law enforcement authorities in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in dismantling a network of drug traffickers composed mainly of Albanian citizens. During a joint action, 35 suspects were arrested and 51 places were searched in the countries involved. More than 600 police officers were involved in the operation. Eurojust assisted the authorities in setting up and funding a joint investigation team (JIT) for the case.

The criminal network is suspected of being responsible for the large-scale trafficking of cocaine and cannabis from South America to Europe and its further distribution throughout the European Union. They are also known to use violence, including episodes of torture and kidnapping for extortion.

The perpetrators were able to exploit significant financial resources allegedly obtained from previous drug trafficking activities. They had several logistical bases where narcotics and proceeds of crime were stored and where associates could meet. They also possessed a vast fleet of vehicles equipped with sophisticated hidden compartments, mobile phones equipped with encrypted messaging apps and other services.

According to the investigations, the criminal network carried out at least 36 imports totaling 1 ton of cocaine and 1 ton of hashish in the period March 2020-June 2021. These substances would have generated more than 1 billion euros in the distribution market. During the investigation, more than 1 million euros in cash were also seized.

The proceeds of crime were divided among the network members according to their respective roles. In Germany, several suspects owned an upscale restaurant, a bar and a real estate agency that were allegedly used to launder money from drug-trafficking activities.

The case was opened at Eurojust in September 2021 at the request of the German authorities. An EPH was established between the German and Italian authorities with the support of Eurojust in July 2022. Two coordination meetings were organized by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation and to prepare the day of joint action. A coordination center was set up to enable rapid cooperation between the judicial authorities involved in the day of action.

Europol's Serious Organized Crime Center has been supporting the case since late 2020, since then it has exchanged more than 250 secure messages with the authorities involved. Extensive analytical support allowed the identification of key targets and the mapping of their criminal activities around the globe. A number of operational meetings were organized by Europol, either at its headquarters in The Hague or abroad. In addition, two Europol officers were deployed on the ground in Germany and Italy during the day of the action to support the authorities with their investigative measures. A secure communication platform was also established by Europol during the day of the operation to allow real-time exchange of tactical information between the various law enforcement authorities involved.

The investigation, and the organization of the joint day of action itself, has been supported by the @ON Network funded by the European Union (Internal Security Funds Project 'ISF4@ON') and led by the Italian Directorate of Anti-Mafia Investigation (DIA). / CNA