Operation with 24 arrests in Foggia/ 36-year-old Albanian, key man in cocaine trade

2025-12-16 22:22:00, Kronika CNA

Operation with 24 arrests in Foggia/ 36-year-old Albanian, key man in cocaine

New details have emerged from the operation carried out by officers of the Carabinieri of Foggia, who executed 24 precautionary measures with arrest, 19 in prison and 5 under house arrest, on charges of drug trafficking, possession and distribution, including an Albanian citizen.

The investigation by the Foggia Prosecutor's Office documented events that allegedly took place between May 2024 and April 2025. The suspects are aged between 23 and 61, are Italian citizens, mainly from Foggia, Albanians, Georgians and Romanians, and are active not only in the province of Foggia, but also in Rieti, Emilia-Romagna and lower Molise.

It is learned that the investigation began with the monitoring of a 36-year-old Albanian with a criminal record, who is believed to be the focal point of the drug trade, especially cocaine, in the Foggia area. The suspect is suspected of purchasing the drugs in bulk through channels belonging to his fellow citizens based in northern Italy. The drug trafficking network is suspected of allowing 5 to 10 kg of cocaine to enter the province of Daunia per month, purchased for over 22 euros per gram and resold at a price that varied depending on the quantities, between 30 and 50 euros per gram, generating monthly profits estimated at approximately 200,000 euros.

The suspects allegedly took advantage of the availability of secure warehouses, where the drugs were stored and packaged for later shipment, almost always without cutting the substance.

One of the seizures made during the investigation, which included 2 kg of cocaine from Bolivia, reportedly showed the high quality of the drug, which was found to be 96% pure by subsequent laboratory analysis by the Carabinieri.

During operations to monitor couriers transporting drugs from northern Italy to Foggia, investigators identified seven suspects residing in the province of Parma, who are suspected of creating an independent drug trafficking network with an even larger turnover. According to the investigation, the drugs were hidden in cars equipped with false bottoms.

The suspects used cryptophones, while the transfer of proceeds to Albania was apparently done through the use of bus and truck drivers who followed the rules. /CNA