Albanian drug networks have significantly expanded their operations in Italy, moving away from marijuana transportation and focusing on the trafficking and distribution of cocaine. This shift has caught the attention of Italian authorities, who reported approximately 1,200 Albanians to prosecutors in 2022 for their involvement in the cocaine trade, a notable increase from the 1,127 reported in the previous year.
The transportation and distribution of cannabis by Albanian individuals decreased by 20.33% in 2022, with 239 individuals reported compared to 300 in 2021. Additionally, the number of Albanian authors reported for marijuana-related activities experienced a substantial decline, dropping from 149 in 2021 to only 62 in 2022.
The latest report of the Italian anti-drug authorities commends the efforts of both Albanian and Italian law enforcement in curbing marijuana trafficking in the maritime region between the two countries. Despite these commendable actions, the report indicates that the total number of Albanians involved in the drug trade and reported to Italian judicial authorities slightly decreased to 1,562 in 2022, down from 1,599 in the previous year.
The Italian anti-drug agency’s analysis also sheds light on the organizational structure of these drug networks. Albanian groups often form small, tight-knit units with familial ties, enabling them to maintain connections with their home country while seeking international opportunities in the drug market. In some instances, these small groups function as multi-ethnic entities, showcasing their versatility. On the other hand, larger, more sophisticated criminal organizations with significant financial resources have been responsible for high-level international drug trafficking, often employing typical mafia-style schemes.
The geographical proximity between Italy and Albania has proven advantageous for these drug networks, allowing for direct collaboration between Apulian and Albanian criminal groups, especially concerning the supply, storage, and distribution of narcotics.
Italian law enforcement has conducted several major operations throughout 2022 to combat drug trafficking, leading to the apprehension of numerous Albanian and Italian individuals involved in the illicit trade. One such operation in January 2022, led by the Guardia di Finanza of Brindisi, exposed the activities of Italo-Albanian networks, resulting in 23 arrest warrants being executed against both Italian and Albanian citizens. The involved group successfully imported significant quantities of heroin and cocaine into the province of Brindisi, originating from Turkey via the Balkan route and the Netherlands.
To evade police scrutiny, the suspects demonstrated a high level of sophistication in their communications. They utilized encrypted mobile devices and frequency blockers to ensure secure communication while thwarting interception efforts and GPS tracking. Financial transactions for drug shipments primarily occurred through physical money transfers to Albania, carried out by drivers operating on the bus line connecting Vlora to Northern Italy.
