FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Belgian prosecutors have dismantled an Albanian drug gang that operated marijuana plantations across the country. It is learned that 19 Albanians have been arrested.
The investigation began in October 2024 after the Brussels-West police area (Molenbeek, Ganshoren, Jette, Koekelberg and Sint-Agatha-Berchem) received a complaint about a resident of Jette, who was allegedly involved in the cultivation and sale of marijuana.
“The in-depth investigation, including telephone interceptions, on-site surveillance and analysis of financial flows, revealed the existence of a suspected large-scale structured criminal organization. This organization is mainly based in the municipalities of Jette and Ganshoren and is said to centralize its activities there, in particular the storage of drugs. The products would then be sold locally to customers throughout Belgium,” the Brussels public prosecutor’s office reported.
According to the public prosecution, the gang used a network of residential properties to house cannabis plantations.
“Thirteen properties are located in different Belgian municipalities, including Sint-Genesius-Rode, Lasne, Uatermael-Boitsfort, Sint-Pieters-Uoluwe, Mons, Fontaine-l'Evêque, Herent, Gosselies, Rixensart, Bertrix, Soignies and Jette. These properties are usually located in residential areas, with monthly rents estimated to be between 1,700 and 2,600 euros. The rental contracts would be systematically drawn up with false identity documents, which would make it easier to conceal his criminal activities,” he said.
At the end of January, investigators carried out more than twenty house searches, dismantling the criminal network. During the operation, eleven cannabis plantations were discovered, where a total of 7,980 plants were grown.
"This represents an estimated annual harvest of more than one ton of cannabis, with a market value of approximately 4,200,000 euros ," the public prosecutor's office announced.
Police seized 23 kilograms of marijuana, 654 grams of cocaine, 13 thousand euros, five vehicles, a firearm, 28 cell phones and several forged documents.
A total of 19 people were arrested. Fourteen suspects were ultimately arrested by the investigating judge. One of the arrested suspects was held in a closed center with the aim of deportation to Albania. The other four were released.
"This is a complete dismantling of an Albanian criminal network that was active in our region and throughout the country. The investigation is still ongoing and in the interest of the investigation, the Brussels public prosecutor's office will not comment further ," the Brussels public prosecutor's office said.
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