The SPAK mega-operation / How the cocaine criminal group worked

2024-11-16 16:13:00, Kronika CNA

SPAK has hit an international cocaine network and arrested 10 people, Albanian and foreign nationals.

From the investigative data, it appears that this group acts as an international criminal network, collaborating with criminal organizations in Latin America to traffic cocaine to Albania and European Union countries. On site, they used a laboratory and ancillary facilities to extract the drug from "salted cowhide", processing it before it was trafficked to the intended markets. The structure of the group included nationals from several cities in the country, well-defined roles, including financiers, transporters, processors, and distributors.

This network featured an efficient cooperation between experienced foreign experts and well-organized local elements, creating a functional and multidimensional mechanism of criminal activity.

One of the most special aspects of this network was the inclusion of experts from Latin America. The Colombians and Venezuelans, known for their deep expertise in the handling and processing of cocaine, were the "experts" who guaranteed the technical success of the operation. Their ability to extract cocaine from organic materials, such as "cattle skins" turned the raw drug into a ready-made, high-quality product for the Albanian and European markets. This cooperation shows not only the international size of the group, but also its intentions to operate at high levels of organization and the use of advanced technology in drug processing.

The laboratory set up in Qereke in Fushë Krujë and the auxiliary facilities in Tirana and Durrës were located in strategic points of the national infrastructure. Close to the country's largest airport, and the port of Durrës, these areas made it difficult to monitor from the air by law enforcement agencies, and in turn facilitated the rapid transport of drugs and chemical compounds, ensuring quick access to national and international markets. The selection of these locations clearly shows careful planning, where close proximity to major national logistics hubs was a key factor in the uninterrupted operation of this criminal network.

The network operated in a synchronized manner, with each link defined in detail. Foreign experts focused on technical processing processes, using their skills to set up drug processing laboratories. Meanwhile, Albanian financiers provided investments, equipment and chemical components. Transporters and local processors played their part in ensuring the safe movement of drugs and equipment, while distributors were tasked with getting the drugs into their intended markets.

The large amount of money made available to finance this activity, the technological equipment and the means of drug processing indicate the high level of organization and financial resources of this criminal group./ CNA