FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiInvestigators have reconstructed the criminal chain, identifying a well-organized structure capable of managing large drug flows.
An international operation against drug trafficking was carried out in the early hours of the morning by Italian police, leading to the dismantling of a powerful criminal organization based in Albania and with roots in Italy, but with consequences in several European countries.
As a result, nine people were arrested, eight of Albanian origin and one Italian citizen, suspected of being part of a structured criminal organization for international drug trafficking.
The operation, codenamed “STURL ONE”, was carried out by the Reggio Emilia Police, under the coordination of the Bologna Prosecutor’s Office-District Antimafia Directorate, and involved the execution of the “custodial arrest” security measure, approved by the Bologna Pre-Trial Court. Arrests and searches were carried out in several provinces of Italy, including Reggio Emilia, Bergamo, Brescia and Savona, as well as in France, Spain and Albania, thanks to the cooperation with foreign police authorities and the Albanian Criminal Police.
The investigations are a follow-up to the previous operations “TREXIT 2019” and “BLACK MAMBA”, which in 2021 and 2022 led to the arrest of 35 people. The investigations show that the organization had high logistical and financial capacity, importing large quantities of cocaine, hashish and marijuana from South America, Northern Europe and Spain, hidden in trucks loaded with vegetables.
Members of the organization communicated through the encrypted platform "SkyECC", which was decrypted by French authorities at the end of 2020, paving the way for the criminal activity to be uncovered.
During a raid in Brescia, a Moroccan citizen was arrested red-handed with over 3 kg of drugs and 5,800 euros. Italian authorities describe the operation as a major blow to the criminal organization's dome.
Drugs and Money
In just six months of monitoring conversations, the organization was able to move, manage and distribute over 200 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish and marijuana, collecting millions of euros in revenue.
Individuals targeted by today's restrictive measures, confident in the secrecy and confidentiality of the communication channel used, spoke freely, outlining negotiations, drug distribution methods, and even commenting on seizures made by the State Police during their investigative activities.
The detailed investigations conducted by State Police personnel allowed the identification of SkyECC PIN users, matching their identities with the relevant individuals, thus enabling the construction of a serious, accurate and consistent framework of evidence that the Judicial Authority fully supported in approving the order to apply the precautionary measure, which in effect beheaded the association's leadership.
A total of fifteen people are under investigation. In addition to the nine arrested, three of whom were found in Italy, numerous checks were carried out throughout the country, delegated by the Bologna Public Prosecutor's Office with the participation of 50 State Police officers.
Furthermore, during a delegated check carried out in the province of Brescia, a Moroccan national was found in possession of just over 2 kg of marijuana, 1 kg of hashish and 5,800 euros in cash. He was arrested red-handed for possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.
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