The Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo (PSRK) has submitted a request to the Basic Court in Pristina seeking pre-trial detention for seven suspects: Astrit Kazmi, Argjend Qupevaj, Arben Qupevaj, Albin Qupevaj, Fatmir Mujaj, Visar Muriqi, and Ekrem Bajrami. The suspects are accused of organized crime, specifically unauthorized possession, distribution, and sale of narcotics, as well as money laundering.
The arrests were made during the operation named “Broken Sky” on September 24, 2025. According to the prosecutor’s file, between early 2020 and September 23, 2025, the suspects allegedly participated in a criminal network that trafficked cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from South America, Iran, and Turkey to Kosovo and other countries.
Modus Operandi:
- Narcotics were ordered and transported via shipping containers, trucks, and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.
- Substances were camouflaged and mixed with baking soda to increase weight before being repackaged using pressure machines.
- The drugs were then distributed and sold in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, other EU countries, and a portion remained in Kosovo, with some marijuana reaching Turkey.
The PSRK alleges that the group collaborated with other individuals inside and outside Kosovo, whose identities are expected to be revealed during further investigations. The network reportedly generated millions of euros in illicit profits.
Legal Framework:
- Suspects are charged under Article 277, paragraph 1 of the Kosovo Penal Code for participation in or organization of a criminal group, linked to Article 267, paragraph 2, regarding illegal narcotics.
- They are also accused of money laundering under Article 302, related to Articles 31 and 56 of the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Financing, for converting criminal proceeds into legal assets such as businesses, real estate, and vehicles.
This case highlights the scale and sophistication of cross-border drug trafficking networks operating in the region.
