Euronews Albania has obtained the complete investigative dossier of the operation codenamed “Network”, which revealed how 52 individuals involved in four criminal groups engaged in drug trafficking and distribution were uncovered in different areas of Elbasan. The intercepted conversations mention Peruvian cocaine, while drug dealers took care to camouflage it by hiding it in water bottles or cigarette packs.

In order to document the massive distribution of drugs in Elbasan, the city’s prosecution and police used special investigation methods, including covert environmental surveillance with technical, photographic, audio, and video tools in public places, telephone wiretapping, and undercover agent simulations.

Precisely, an undercover agent identified in the investigative dossier with the symbol “K” made dozens of controlled purchases of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, and methadone.

The infiltrated police officer bought narcotics from almost all members of the group in various roles, and at one point, one of them mentioned that the cocaine he had was Peruvian and highly pure.

Cocaine was distributed in bags in different areas of Elbasan, while methadone was sold inside water bottles or cigarette packs.

The prosecution has requested imprisonment for 37 of the arrested individuals, house arrest for five others, and mandatory appearance for three detainees.

Seven individuals are currently on the run, and after their arrest, they had to be transported to the security block in the capital using a bus.

Last week, Elbasan Police arrested 45 individuals and declared 7 others as wanted suspects for the production, sale, and trafficking of narcotics in collaboration.

The three-month operation, codenamed “Network”, spanned seven cities and involved nearly 500 police forces.

According to law enforcement, this operation dealt a significant blow to one criminal group and partially impacted three other groups.

Elbasan is regarded by the police and independent security experts as one of the main bases and hotspots of criminal activity in Albania, where organized criminal groups often find refuge and carry out their operations.