Europol: 28-ton cocaine ring exposes Albanian criminals’ deep global ties

Europol says the drug-trafficking group unmasked last week—credited by SPAK with moving 28 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe—demonstrates the “strong connections” Albanian actors maintain with other criminal networks worldwide. The assessment came days after SPAK sought 16 security measures in the case, 10 of which were executed.

Why is this important: The finding underscores how Albanian-linked groups operate across continents, sourcing cocaine directly from producers, moving multi-ton consignments to Europe, and laundering proceeds through real estate investments in Albania and EU countries.

Context: According to SPAK, the organization was led by brothers Ervis and Albin Çela, who secured cocaine “directly from producers.” Europol said the investigation proved the group’s links and capacity to traffic ton-level quantities. SPAK’s operation resulted in 16 court-ordered measures (14 “arrest in prison” and 2 “obligation to appear”), with 10 executed and six suspects still wanted.

Europol added that profits were invested in property inside Albania and across the European Union. SPAK has already placed portions of these assets under seizure, after prosecutors pieced together the group’s operating mechanism.

A 282-page case file published by Klan News details internal communications that track the chain from ordering cocaine in Latin America to distribution in Europe, and the repatriation of millions of euros in cash to Albania. The file describes how money was laundered through various businesses and real estate; in one exchange, a suspect mused about burying cash in jars under 200 olive trees he owned or using the millions of euros to buy gold bars in Africa.

Investigators say critical evidence came from SKY ECC intercepts—an encrypted messaging platform—whose decrypted chats also implicate figures already known to justice, including Franc Çopja, for whom SPAK previously issued a separate arrest order.

What’s next: With arrests pending and assets under seizure, prosecutors are expected to press money-laundering counts alongside narcotics-trafficking charges, while Europol’s readout signals continued cross-border coordination as the case moves toward trial.