A major police operation coordinated by the Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Public Prosecution of Bologna has led to the dissolution of a powerful Italian-Albanian drug cartel, leading to the arrest of 15 people.

Of those, 12 have been sent to prison, while 3 others are under house arrest. The operation involved several Italian provinces, including Reggio Emilia, where five people were arrested who are accused of being part of an Italian-Albanian criminal organization dedicated to international drug trafficking.

Investigations by Italian authorities have revealed that the cartel imported and distributed large quantities of drugs, including 23 kg of cocaine, 6 kg of heroin, 80 kg of hashish and 240 kg of marijuana, coming from Albania, Kosovo, Ecuador, Colombia and the Netherlands. As of 2020 the total value of drugs distributed in Italy is estimated at around 8 million euros where also, it is confirmed the introduction by Spain into the national territory of counterfeit banknotes of €75,000,00, €500,00.

The operation has been supported by technical investigations, including phone and electronic interceptions encrypted through the use of the Sky-ECC app.

Investigations have revealed that the group was closely linked to other criminal groups, including the Ndrangheta and organised crime in Lazio.

The organization has had a well-structured network, based in Emilia Romagna, but has also branched out into Calabria, Lazio and Veneto, including a vast drug distribution network across national and international territory.
The group’s illegal activities are carried out with meticulous management methods, using facade companies to launder illicit profits.