Two Albanians Arrested in Italy with 13 kg of Cocaine and Thousands of Euros

Italian authorities have arrested two Albanian nationals in the city of Reggio Emilia for possessing 13 kilograms of cocaine and tens of thousands of euros in an underground parking lot. The arrests were made as part of a police operation targeting a significant drug trafficking network.

The two suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, were apprehended with the large quantity of cocaine and a substantial amount of cash, indicating their involvement in a major drug trafficking operation. The seized cocaine and money serve as evidence of the scale and profitability of the illegal activities.

Further investigations revealed that the arrested individuals were part of a criminal group led by Arsad Bashli, a 27-year-old from Shkodra, Albania. Bashli, who was wanted by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) as part of the 'Metamorfoza' file, was identified as the head of the criminal organization responsible for transporting and distributing drugs in the tourist area of Livigno, Italy.

The criminal group employed sophisticated methods to evade detection, using coded language to refer to different types of drugs. Terms such as 'milk', 'bresaola', and 'stone' were used for cocaine, while 'brown', 'black', and 'chocolate' referred to heroin and hashish. Despite their precautions, investigators were able to reconstruct the drug trafficking network and identify key members, including Megi Dabati, the wife of Gentian Dabati, who was also part of the organization.

Why this matters: The arrest of the two Albanians and the exposure of the criminal network highlight the ongoing efforts by Italian authorities to combat drug trafficking and dismantle organized crime groups operating in the country. The seizure of a significant quantity of cocaine and cash deals a blow to the illegal drug trade and undermines the financial resources of criminal organizations.

The successful police operation in Reggio Emilia is part of a broader investigation into the Albanian mafia's involvement in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana in Spain. Authorities aim to target the upper echelons of the Albanian criminal networks controlling the marijuana trade, with the city of Salou identified as a hub for the leaders of these organizations. The arrests made in the underground parking lot in Italy contribute to the overall efforts to disrupt the international drug trafficking activities of the Albanian mafia.

Key Takeaways

• Italian police arrested 2 Albanians with 13kg cocaine, €10,000s in Reggio Emilia
• Suspects part of criminal group led by Arsad Bashli, wanted by Albania's SPAK
• Group used coded language to refer to different drugs like 'milk' for cocaine
• Arrests part of broader probe into Albanian mafia's marijuana trade in Spain
• Operation disrupts international drug trafficking activities of Albanian criminal networks