FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
An Albanian drug gang operating in the southern Antwerp area has been sentenced in Belgium to prison terms of up to six years for trafficking nearly 200 kilograms of cannabis and around 7 tons of cocaine. The court also ordered the confiscation of more than 3.1 million euros in assets gained from criminal activity.
According to Belgian media, the investigation began on February 23, 2024, after Antwerp police received information that a BMW vehicle with Romanian license plates was being used for international drug trafficking. The information also mentioned two addresses on Lambermontstraat and Geuzenstraat, in Antwerp.
During a search of the vehicle, police discovered a modified microwave oven, inside which more than 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were hidden.
Following this discovery, investigators placed seven locations under surveillance: five in Antwerp, one in Brasschaat and one in Linter, in the province of Flemish Brabant. During the operation, eight suspects were identified, who were seen several times transporting boxes and bags of chemical substances.
At a facility on Geuzenstraat, police found six garbage bags with about 50 empty cans of products used for washing, cleaning and processing cocaine. The microwave oven, according to investigators, was used not only for processing the drug, but also for its clandestine transportation.
After several months of investigation, on September 5, 2024, searches were carried out in several apartments. In Geuzenstraat and in Linter, the police discovered two drug laboratories, where cocaine was washed, purified and processed into its final form. During the operation, over 1,400 liters of chemical substances, 10 kilograms of cocaine and 23 kilograms of cannabis were seized.
Investigators also seized money counting machines, mobile phones and a detailed accounting of the criminal organization. The documentation showed that the group had trafficked approximately 191 kilograms of cannabis and around 7 tons of cocaine, with an estimated turnover of 147 million euros.
Although all defendants denied involvement and pleaded not guilty, the court sentenced them in late June to prison terms ranging from 40 months to six years. The court also ordered the confiscation of more than 3.1 million euros in criminal assets.
The most severe sentence was given to Arbri C. (35), who the court considered to be one of the leaders of the organization. According to the decision, he maintained contacts, supervised the various locations and coordinated the group's activity, although he received instructions from other people at higher levels. He was sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of 48 thousand euros.
Arban D. (33), who paid most of the rent for the facilities used by the organization, was sentenced to five years in prison and a 40 thousand euro fine./ Adapted by "Pamphlet" from "Nieuwsblad.be"
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