FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiTraffickers, money launderers and criminal networks are adopting digital tools faster than authorities
Investigations by SPAK and Europol over the past two years have revealed that Albanian criminal groups are using advanced technology to evade detection and manage their illegal activities. In the international operation “Los Blancos” in 2024, police discovered that the cocaine trafficking network was using drones with infrared cameras to monitor the border and evade patrols. The devices were equipped with encrypted transmitters that sent the footage directly to secure phones, without being stored on any traceable server.
Cryptocurrencies have become a major tool for money laundering. A 2023 report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) found that Albanian networks use “mixer services” and unverified exchange platforms to hide the traces of transactions stemming from drug trafficking and online fraud schemes. In some cases, payments were made through encrypted systems based on Telegram bots, enabling the transfer of large sums in less than 30 minutes.
Encrypted communication technology, such as Sky ECC and Signal, has allowed criminals to coordinate drug shipments, plan escapes, and negotiate contract killings, leaving little trace for investigators to use. The 2025 operation against a network in Durres alone led to 29 arrests based on messages decrypted by Sky ECC.
In 2024, European agencies warned about the use of deepfake AI in threats and blackmail. Criminals are creating fake audio or video of witnesses, prosecutors or rivals, using them as “evidence” to disrupt court cases or generate public pressure.
Another trend is the use of “stingray” devices; fake mobile antennas that mimic operator stations and intercept communications from surrounding phones. Security experts in the region have reported cases where these devices have been used by trafficking networks to track police movements or identify informants.
Experts warn that, while authorities are still trying to modernize technological capabilities, organized crime has the advantage of flexibility and inexhaustible funds to test every new tool the market offers.
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