A major anti-mafia operation spanning Italy, Spain and Switzerland has resulted in the arrest of 30 people and the seizure of assets worth more than €21 million, with Albanian associates suspected of involvement in the alleged criminal network.
According to Swiss newspaper laRegione, the investigation uncovered an illicit financial structure described by investigators as a “shadow bank,” allegedly used to launder proceeds from tax fraud, drug trafficking and arms trafficking.
The investigation, conducted by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, found that the suspected organisation had allegedly issued fictitious invoices worth more than €110 million. Investigators also suspect that approximately €68 million was laundered internationally through cryptocurrency transactions.
According to the Swiss media report, the network allegedly relied on Chinese and Albanian associates. However, their identities have not been disclosed, and authorities have not confirmed whether any Albanian nationals are among those arrested.
During the operation, a 62-year-old Italian citizen born in Naples was arrested in Lugano, Switzerland. He is suspected of playing a role in transferring money and converting it into cryptocurrencies.
The man remains in custody pending extradition proceedings.
The operation was coordinated by Italian authorities and included searches in Switzerland’s Ticino canton and in Spain. The investigation is part of a broader effort to dismantle suspected organised crime networks and the financial systems allegedly used to conceal the proceeds of criminal activity.
