A sweeping five-year transnational investigation has dismantled a major cocaine-trafficking network operating between Albania and Italy, culminating in the arrest of 24 suspects and the seizure of millions of euros in criminal proceeds. Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, announced on November 27 that coordinated law-enforcement operations across Italy, Albania, France and Switzerland had brought down what investigators describe as one of the most structured and resilient drug-smuggling networks active in Europe.

Authorities say the group is suspected of trafficking more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine from South America to Italy, using northern European ports and extensive logistical infrastructure to avoid detection. The network allegedly leveraged encrypted communications, disciplined transportation chains and strategically placed warehouses to move drugs worth tens of millions of euros into EU markets.

The dismantled network is believed to have been coordinated jointly by Albanian and Italian nationals with strong criminal ties and access to established smuggling routes. Investigators say the group sourced its cocaine shipments directly from South American suppliers, then routed the consignments through major European entry points-likely including ports in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany-before transferring the narcotics into Italy.

Once in Italy, the drugs were reportedly stored in six different warehouses strategically located to support rapid distribution across the country. The organization’s logistical sophistication allowed it to break down large quantities of cocaine into smaller shipments destined for regional distributors. From........

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