An international cocaine trafficking network, financed by Albanians living in Dubai and spanning Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, has been busted by Europol.
According to Europol, Albanians are accused of acting as investors by providing the necessary finances to pay producers for cocaine shipments from Colombia or Ecuador, destined for the shores of Europe.
The organization is accused of trafficking through financing 7.2 tons of cocaine that was seized. Also seized were 6.5 million euros in cash, 1.5 million euros in gold or valuable jewelry and items, 48 weapons and luxury cars.
EUROPOL ANNOUNCEMENT:
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 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.
Other Albanian members, based in Dubai, acted as investors – they provided the necessary finances 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 one ton of cocaine per week. 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. The network is suspected of being linked to cocaine seizures totaling over seven tons. Law enforcement authorities had also seized two tons of cocaine in Spain since the beginning of the investigation.
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 (valued at around 2.5 million euros), luxury watches and jewellery (valued at around 1.5 million euros) and 6.5 million euros in cash;
48 weapons;
53 frozen bank accounts. (A2 Televizion)
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