SPAK's mega-operation/ From cocaine trafficking to money laundering, 9 security measures are executed

2025-08-08 17:45:00, Kronika CNA

SPAK's mega-operation/ From cocaine trafficking to money laundering, 9

SPAK strikes a powerful criminal group that trafficked narcotics from Latin American countries to EU countries through the most important ports.

The criminal organization invested profits from cocaine trafficking in Albania in the form of businesses or properties.

Members of this organization are charged with several criminal offenses such as "Trafficking in narcotics", "Laundering of proceeds of crime", "Criminal organization" and "Committing criminal offenses by a criminal organization and structured criminal group".

The Albanian Criminal Court has ordered the security measure of arrest in prison for 14 people and 2 have been ordered to appear in court. 9 security measures have been executed, and execution is pending for 6 others.

Excerpt from SPAK's announcement

"The Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (Special Prosecutor's Office) has conducted investigations against a high-level criminal organization involved in cocaine trafficking and money laundering. The investigations, which include intensive cooperation with EUROPOL and authorities from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, were based on the analysis of encrypted communication data of the SkyECC platform. These investigations have revealed multi-ton shipments of cocaine from Latin America to major EU ports, including Hamburg, Antwerp, etc.

This criminal organization operated on a global scale, collaborating with other criminal groups to facilitate transport to European ports and investing large profits in properties and businesses in Albania and abroad.

In the context of this criminal organization, the Special Prosecution Office has conducted investigations within the framework of criminal proceedings no. 187/2023 for the criminal offenses of "Trafficking in narcotics", "Laundering of proceeds of crime", "Criminal organization" and "Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group" provided for by articles 283/a, 287, 333/1 and 2 and 334/1 of the Criminal Code.

The Special Prosecution Office has filed a request for the imposition of personal security measures against 16 (sixteen) Albanian citizens, a request which was approved by the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime (Special Court) with decision no. 82, act dated 06.08.2025, imposing the measure of "arrest in prison", based on Article 238 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for 14 (fourteen) persons and for 2 (two) others it has imposed the security measure of obligation to report to the judicial police.

The General Directorate of the State Police in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation have executed security measures for 9 suspects (including one of the leaders), of whom 7 with the measure of "prison arrest" and 2 with the measure of "compulsory appearance", while one of the suspects is currently arrested in an EU country (leader of the organization). Work is underway to execute security measures for 6 other people.

The measure of “prison arrest” in Albania:

E.C.

A.C.

PL

RM

G.C.

MK

El.C

"Compulsory appearance" measure in Albania:

8. DP

9. K.Gj

Arrested in an EU country:

10. FC/ CNA