52 arrested in Albania–Italy crackdown on multimillion-euro drug network
A total of 52 arrest warrants have been issued by Albanian and Italian authorities as part of a joint investigation aimed at dismantling a large-scale international drug trafficking network operating between the two countries and beyond.
Why is this important: The operation marks one of the most significant anti-narcotics actions in recent years and highlights the growing coordination between Albanian and European institutions in combatting organized crime. The scale of the arrests — including police officers, a lawyer, and business owners — underscores how deeply drug money had penetrated public and private institutions.
Context: The investigation was carried out in close cooperation between Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), the Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bari, and Albanian law enforcement, with support from Interpol and Eurojust. SPAK confirmed that it also held meetings with representatives from the U.S. DEA. Key data came from decrypted communications on SKY ECC and Encrochat platforms.
Out of the total:
- 29 arrest orders were issued in Albania
- 22 in Italy
- 1 individual is under a detention order from the Special Court
Among those arrested are police officers, a lawyer, business owners, and public officials. The group under investigation, based in Durrës, has been linked to at least 40 drug trafficking cases documented between 2020 and 2025, involving shipments toward Italy, Albania, and other EU countries.
What else: According to SPAK prosecutor Vladimir Mara, authorities have documented the network’s operations in detail and have seized €7 million as part of the investigation.
Italian prosecutor Ettore Cardinali gave further insight into how drug money was transported and laundered:
“We managed to observe and film the handover of money from individuals in Italy to transport agencies bound for Albania. This method helped bypass border checks. GPS trackers and cross-border surveillance were used. Chat messages and mobile phone photos contained both drug imagery and cash, along with handwritten financial records of the group.”
Once in Albania, the cash was allegedly laundered through various investments.
As part of the operation, Albanian authorities have seized:
- 3 restaurants in Durrës
- 1 bar-café
- 6 commercial companies
- 1 television station in Vlorë
All these assets are reportedly owned by individuals under arrest or currently wanted.
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