The European Union’s law enforcement agency, EUROPOL, has released details about a significant operation targeting an organized Albanian criminal network involved in the trafficking of tons of cocaine and money laundering.
During raids conducted on August 7 and 8 in Albania, ten suspects linked to the criminal network were arrested, EUROPOL confirmed.
“The Albanian law enforcement forces, in coordination with colleagues from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, executed this operation supported by EUROPOL against this clan-based criminal network,” the agency stated.
Investigations revealed that the network has connections with other international criminal organizations active across the European Union and beyond.
Following the arrest of a key member by Albanian authorities in late June 2025, searches also resulted in the seizure of significant assets, including a hotel, properties, various businesses, and a large amount of physical and digital evidence.
EUROPOL’s analysis focused on encrypted communications on the SkyECC app, uncovering shipments involving tons of cocaine trafficked from Latin America to major EU ports.
For one shipment alone, the main operator reportedly received over 40 million US dollars.
The head of the Albanian criminal group was responsible for organizing shipments and investing in purchasing large quantities of cocaine. He coordinated operations remotely through encrypted communication channels.
Before his arrest, he was wanted following a 21-year prison sentence confirmed by an Albanian court—originally issued by an Italian court for crimes including murder, deprivation of liberty, attempted concealment of a corpse, threats, illegal possession of explosives and ammunition, and obstruction of justice.
This Albanian criminal network operated on a truly global scale, collaborating with other groups to facilitate shipments to EU ports. It reinvested tens of millions of euros in real estate and businesses across Albania and other European countries.
EUROPOL deployed an organized crime expert to Tirana to provide support through a mobile office, facilitating cooperation between foreign and Albanian law enforcement agencies during the operation.
