Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians financed shipments

2025-01-24 15:51:00, Kronika CNA

Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians

The Spanish Guardia Civil, supported by Europol, has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network in an investigation involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The suspects are believed to have been involved in the wholesale acquisition and distribution of cocaine across the EU, as well as money laundering. The raid was coordinated by Europol’s Operational Task Force.

The network includes Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

The investigation launched in June 2022 uncovered this drug trafficking network operating on three continents. The members of the network – citizens from Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia and Spain – organized the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine from the country of origin to Europe. Each of them took on different roles within the logistical chain.

Colombian nationals handled shipments from Colombia to Europe, while Bulgarian, Colombian and Spanish nationals oversaw the receipt and further distribution of the drugs. Rescue teams hid in a container to secretly enter the port and, with the help of corrupt workers, removed the cocaine at night.

Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians

Other Albanian members, based in Dubai, acted as investors – they provided the finances needed to pay the producers for shipments from Colombia. Members of the network also laundered the proceeds of their crimes. Intelligence suggests that the criminal network had the capacity to receive up to a ton of cocaine per week.

The shipments were made via air cargo and sea containers. In October 2024, authorities seized 4.1 tons of cocaine in Panama, bound for Spain, in connection with this network.

Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians

The network is suspected of being linked to cocaine seizures totaling over seven tons. Law enforcement authorities have also seized two tons of cocaine in Spain since the investigation began.

Results of the action, carried out in three phases, between December 2024 and January 2025

22 arrests in Spain (Spanish and Colombian nationals);
27 house raids in Barcelona, ??Cadiz, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia;
Seizures include around 1 tonne of cocaine and 5 kg of 'tusi' (pink cocaine), 35 vehicles, including 8 luxury cars (estimated value around 2.5 million euros), luxury watches and jewellery (estimated value around 1.5 million euros) and 6.5 million euros in cash;
48 weapons (5 long guns, 5 pistols and 38 historical type weapons);
53 frozen bank accounts.

Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians

Europol Support and Operational Task Force

The increase in cocaine shipments from South America to Europe, as well as the penetration of criminal networks into legal and illegal businesses in the EU, prompted the creation of an Operational Task Force at Europol.

The task force targeted these groups in source countries and along the distribution chain. During the investigation, Europol coordinated the exchange of information between national authorities, bringing them together to effectively target the entire drug trafficking network.

Europol cracks down on drug trafficking/ From Colombia to Europe, Albanians

In addition, Europol provided ongoing intelligence development, analysis and digital forensic expertise to support investigators. This intelligence gave law enforcement agencies a complete picture of the clandestine network operating across different countries and continents. During the days of the operation, Europol deployed experts to Spain to provide analytical and technical support to officers on the ground.

The following law enforcement authorities participated in the operation:

Bulgaria: General Directorate against Organized Crime (?????? ???????? „????? ? ?????????????? ????????????“)
Colombia: Colombian National Police (Policía Nacional de Colombia)
Panama: Panama National Police (Policía Nacional de Panamá)
Spain: Civil Guard (Guardia Civil)