The Specialized Prosecution Service of Albania (SPAK), in cooperation with Europol and a number of European police services, has dismantled a large-scale criminal organization responsible for trafficking 28 tons of cocaine from South America to Europe. The proceeds of the criminal activity were laundered through investments in real estate and the hotel sector in Albania. The market value of the seized 17 tons is estimated at several billion euros, revealing the scale of the international network.

The operation was carried out with the active cooperation of Europol, as well as judicial and police authorities from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. The analysis of data and intercepted communications from the encrypted platform SkyECC, which was recently dismantled, played a key role, reports the portal "Syri".

The organization operated globally, in partnership with other groups, to facilitate the transportation of shipments to European ports, then invested the profits in real estate and businesses in Albania and abroad.

The network is accused of organizing the trafficking of 28 tons of cocaine, divided into several shipments, sent from Paraguay to the ports of Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany) between 2020 and 2021. Of these, 17 tons were seized, with a market value of around 3.5 billion euros.

The drugs were hidden in legitimate cargo – boxes of soap, cans of paint or industrial glue, sent from South America to major European ports. Brands such as “Fox”, “Puma” and “Sy me rufe” were placed on the packages to disguise themselves.

SPAK’s investigation shows that the group was run from Paraguay, where two of the leaders – brothers Elvis and Ervis Chela – controlled all the traffic. Another leading figure, Frank Chopia, was arrested in Belgium.

The financial flows were carried out through various schemes – physical cash transfers from the EU to Albania via international drivers, use of the informal Hawala system and cryptocurrencies.

SPAK has established a connection between the network and five companies registered in Durres, Kavaja and Rogozina, including “AMR shpk”, owned by Fadil Bala. The company owns the Ajman Park Resort hotel complex in the village of Xafzota, near Durres, which has been seized by order of the specialized court. A two-story villa in Dhermi (valued at around €1 million), a number of properties and land in Shara (Tirana), as well as other commercial companies have also been seized.

16 arrest warrants have been issued in the case, nine people have been placed under judicial control in Albania, seven of them in pre-trial detention, including Ervis Cela. New charges have also been brought against Frank Chopia (also known as Frank Gergeli), who is currently detained in Belgium on charges of drug trafficking and organized crime.

According to BIRN, prosecutors Altin Dumani and Vladimir Mara describe the network as “one of the most powerful Albanian organizations in the international cocaine trafficking”, capable of influencing drug prices on European markets and operating with huge quantities in a short time. Its financial power, high degree of organization and ability to quickly compensate for losses distinguish it from other criminal groups known to SPAK.

This crackdown shows how closely drug trafficking, money laundering and economic penetration of key sectors such as real estate and tourism in Albania are linked, and highlights the need for stricter control mechanisms, financial transparency and the fight against corruption. | BGNES