Suche
Mein Konto
Raid against drug ring: 52 arrests in the heart of Europe!
Luxembourg is the focus of an international anti-drug operation that has resulted in 52 arrests for drug trafficking and money laundering.
Raid against drug ring: 52 arrests in the heart of Europe!
52 people were arrested in a large-scale international anti-drug operation, mainly affecting Italy and Albania. The operation, codenamed “Ura,” targets an Albanian-Italian drug cartel. Reported about it Lesseniel.
On May 21, a 44-year-old Albanian was arrested in Arlon, Belgium. The arrested man previously lived in Luxembourg and is seen as one of the leading figures in the criminal network. After his arrest he was handed over to the Italian authorities. In a clear sign of international cooperation, extensive measures were also taken in Albania and Italy.
Extensive investigations and seizures
The police confiscated a total of nine apartments, four companies, seven bank accounts and three vehicles in Italy. In Albania, two construction companies, four luxury restaurants, a real estate agency and a television station were affected. The estimated total value of the seized assets is several million euros. The Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office in Bari established the close connection between a criminal network from Durrës, Albania, and two organizations in Bari responsible for the smuggling of drugs, particularly heroin and cocaine.
As part of the investigation, 255 kilograms of pure heroin and cocaine were seized. Heroin came from Turkey while the cocaine was procured from Ecuador. Bus drivers also reportedly transported around 4.5 million euros in cash from Puglia to Albania. Money transfers show, among other things, the purchase of 500 kilograms of cocaine for more than $500,000, which were shipped from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Coordination and support
The operation was carried out under the leadership of the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate in Bari and the Albanian authorities. The investigators received support from Interpol, the Office for Security Experts in Tirana and the Albanian police. The coordination was carried out by Eurojust in The Hague and the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terror Directorate in Rome. The operations also took place in several cities in Albania, including Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë and Fier.
The full extent of the operation is also reflected in the numerous finds from drug laboratories in and around Bari, where investigators were able to seize large quantities of cocaine. The largest finds include two tons of cocaine in the port of Rotterdam, 932 kilograms in Gioia Tauro and 400 kilograms of hashish in Noicattaro near Bari, underlining the dimensions of this multinational drug operation.
An online press conference has been announced for 10:30 a.m. and will cover the details of the operation. Altin Dumani, special prosecutor for anti-corruption and organized crime in Tirana, and Roberto Rossi, prosecutor in Bari, will be present, among others Gazeta Express reported.