FLASH
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A drug trafficking network from Ecuador to EU countries has been busted by the Spanish police in coordination with Europol.
The Albanian police and SPAK also took part in the operation, since the "head" of the criminal gang is the Albanian Dritan Gjika.
He led drug trafficking from Colombia to Ecuador and then to EU countries.
As part of this international operation codenamed 'La Pampa', 31 people were arrested in Spain and Ecuador, 25 cars, 10 firearms, electronic equipment worth about 13 million euros and nearly 3 million in cash in different currencies and assets were seized. seized with a total value of about 48 million euros.
The joint day of action in Spain and Ecuador led to:
– 31 arrests (13 in Spain and 18 in Ecuador);
– 2 high-value targets are arrested;
– 66 location searches (22 in Spain and 40 in Ecuador);
- the confiscation includes: 25 vehicles, 10 firearms, electronic equipment valued at around 13 million euros and nearly 3 million euros in cash in various currencies, including euros;
– frozen property for a total value of around 48 million euros (12 million euros in Spain and 36 euros in Ecuador).
Tons of cocaine were shipped under the guise of fruit
Law enforcement authorities launched an investigation into an Italian businessman of Argentine origin residing in Marbella. Further investigation revealed that these companies were used to hide criminal activities and financial transactions. The authorities identified the businessman's criminal relationship with an Albanian citizen residing in Ecuador. The Albanian citizen orchestrated the importation of cocaine from Colombia to Ecuador and its subsequent distribution in the EU. The operative information shows that the businessman had a contractual agreement with Colombian suppliers to get 4 tons of cocaine every month to Ecuador.
The organization employed Ecuadorian fruit companies as a front to import cocaine into the EU, using various transport methods. Smaller quantities of cocaine were often hidden inside banana shipments, ranging from 15 to 40 kg. Despite the varying amounts, the company has consistently denied any involvement in trafficking activities. The criminal group organized the transport of large loads of cocaine from the port of Guayaquil to the port of Algeciras and other European ports.
During the investigation, law enforcement authorities in Albania, Belgium, Ecuador, the Netherlands and Turkey seized several significant cocaine shipments totaling 3.2 tons. The leader of the criminal network played a key role in laundering criminal assets by investing in legitimate businesses in Spain. He managed several companies, including one focused on the production and import of bananas from Ecuador to the EU, as well as sports centers in Marbella, shopping centers in Granada and numerous bars and restaurants. Many of his key associates had strong ties to the Western Balkans and managed the distribution network, which was spread across Europe.
The operation targeted the two leaders of this criminal network. Both leaders had orchestrated drug trafficking and the laundering of significant criminal proceeds into the legal economy through the purchase of properties, luxury vehicles and goods. So far, investigators have linked the targets to financial transactions totaling 48 million euros across Ecuador and Spain.
Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided support during the course of this joint investigation. Europol also provided operational analysis, operational intelligence and coordinated operational activities.
"Cocaine trafficking is a threat, not only to the health of Europeans and our economy, but also to the safety of our neighborhoods, as gang violence is becoming increasingly visible in our communities. This joint day of action is a textual example of how an international coalition of law enforcement agencies, coordinated by Europol, can successfully disrupt global and organized criminal activities. In October, I signed a working agreement with Ecuador to increase our information exchange, particularly in the area of cocaine trafficking. Today's joint operation between Ecuador and Spain, supported by Europol, is a strong statement of our shared determination to bring down the drug cartels from their local operational cells to their core.
Europol started this cooperation with Ecuador, one of the main transit centers for cocaine shipments to the EU. Joint efforts to combat these large-scale criminal activities resulted in the signing of a Working Agreement between Europol and Ecuador in October 2023. This new framework increases cooperation between law enforcement authorities from EU Member States and their counterparts Ecuadorians in the joint fight against multinational drug cartels" – said the Executive Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle.
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