The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has revealed additional information about the complex anti-narcotics operation conducted alongside Spanish authorities. The significant bust targeted an international drug cartel smuggling cocaine from Latin America to Albania, where it was chemically processed and prepped for distribution across Europe.

Why is it important: The operation sheds light on the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by drug traffickers. The collaboration between SPAK and international agencies highlights the critical importance of joint operations in dismantling organized crime networks, while also emphasizing Albania’s strategic location within the global drug trade.

Details of the operation: The details of the operation revealed by SPAK read like a movie script.

• Cocaine smuggling method: The cartel used an advanced method involving chemically treated cowhide. The cocaine was dissolved into these hides and later extracted using chemical separation techniques. Once processed, the leather was intended to be marketed as high-value material for manufacturing jackets and boots. This scheme not only masked the true nature of the shipments but also showcased the cartel’s ingenuity in evading law enforcement scrutiny.
• Storage and monitoring: SPAK had the hides, which weighed a total of 48 tons, under surveillance at a warehouse in Tirana. Investigators knew from intercepted communications that a second shipment was expected in November and strategically chose to wait until the arrival of this load before executing the operation. This timing was critical to catching the chemists and confirming the group’s plans in full action.
• Sophisticated setup: The lab for processing cocaine was established in Qerekë, Fushë Krujë, a strategic location chosen with precision. Its proximity to Tirana International Airport and the Port of Durrës allowed for efficient transport while evading drone surveillance, thanks to the high volume of flights in the area. The choice of location demonstrated a calculated effort to operate under the radar and maintain a robust logistics network.

Arrests and seizures:

• Suspects srrested: Ten individuals were detained, including seven Albanians and three foreign nationals from Colombia and Venezuela. These foreign operatives were specialized chemists brought in to oversee the cocaine extraction process. Arrests were carried out simultaneously at multiple locations, including a high-end villa in Kodra e Diellit 2 and a restaurant in Vishnje, where several suspects were dining.
• Coordinated surveillance: The group had been under investigation for over a year and a half. SPAK kept close tabs on the suspects and their operations, waiting patiently until the perfect moment to strike—when the chemists began the intricate process of separating the cocaine from the hides. The decision to wait ensured that authorities could secure comprehensive evidence and take down the organization at its most vulnerable moment.

Context: The operation stands as one of Albania’s most sophisticated drug busts in recent years. SPAK’s year-long surveillance and strategic timing underscore the complexity and importance of this mission. The collaboration with international law enforcement underscores Albania’s growing importance as a focal point in global drug trafficking routes.

• International ties: SPAK’s delegation, which included its head Altin Dumani, visited Brazil just weeks before the bust. While it is not confirmed that this visit directly impacted the operation, there is speculation that intelligence gathered in Brazil played a role in understanding and tracking the drug networks. This highlights the transnational scope of organized crime and the need for a coordinated global response.
• Operational strategy: The criminal group operated under the cover of a legitimate leather processing company. The business was registered under a seemingly unrelated individual to avoid suspicion, allowing them to import large shipments of hides without drawing attention. SPAK was fully aware of this ruse and kept the lab under constant observation, ensuring they acted only when the time was right.

Next steps: The suspects are scheduled to appear in court at the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) for hearings on their security measures. Meanwhile, authorities are expected to make further arrests and unveil additional findings as the investigation progresses.