Authorities dismantle Albanian-led drug gang in Italy, 66 arrested in Eurojust-coordinated operation

(IN BRIEF) Authorities in Italy, Albania, Poland and Switzerland, coordinated by Eurojust, have dismantled a major Albanian-run cocaine trafficking network. A total of 66 people were arrested, 45 of whom were taken into custody on a day of action. The criminal organization, which had been smuggling cocaine from Latin America for more than four years, was mainly active in northern Italy. Detectives have seized 4 million euros in cash, 360 kilos of cocaine and various luxury goods. The network also managed to launder profits through an Italian-Chinese organization that issued fake invoices worth 375 million euros. Eurojust and Europol provided coordination and analytical support throughout the operation, which involved the deployment of more than 400 officers in Italy.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, September 27, 2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A large-scale operation targeting an Albanian-led organized crime group responsible for cocaine trafficking has resulted in the arrest of 66 suspects in Italy, Albania, Poland and Switzerland. The operation, coordinated by Eurojust, represents a significant blow to a cocaine smuggling network that has been active for more than four years and mainly distributes drugs in northern Italy.

The criminal organization smuggled cocaine from Latin America and used several warehouses in the Brescia area to store and distribute the drugs. On the day of action, 45 suspects were arrested, mainly in Italy, while a further 21 individuals were arrested earlier in the investigation for their involvement in the group’s operations. During the raid, authorities seized €4 million in cash, 360 kilos of cocaine, luxury vehicles, luxury watches, firearms and telecommunications equipment.

In addition, the organization was involved in a money laundering scheme through a network of companies run in collaboration with an Italian-Chinese company that issued fake invoices worth approximately 375 million euros to launder drug trafficking proceeds.

Eurojust played a key role in coordinating the multi-country operation and set up a coordination center to support the day of action. Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the countries involved, ensured operational coordination and deployed an analyst on the ground in Italy to monitor intelligence.

Authorities involved in this complex operation included the Public Prosecution Service (PPO) of Brescia, the Anti-Mafia District Directorate, the Guardia di Finanza in Italy and law enforcement agencies from Albania, Poland and Switzerland. The coordinated effort marks an important step in dismantling one of Europe’s most prominent cocaine trafficking networks and tackling cross-border organized crime.

The operations were carried out at the request of the Brescia PPO through the following authorities: