Financial Police dismantle international criminal organisation for drug trafficking from Albania
The Financial Police in Trieste have dismantled a criminal organisation that was trafficking large quantities of narcotics from Albania into Italy, selling them also in Sistiana.
Financial Police dismantle international criminal organisation for drug trafficking from Albania
Officers of the Financial Police in Trieste have dismantled an international criminal organisation engaged in drug trafficking from Albania to Italy. The group was importing substantial quantities of prohibited substances through the Balkans and marketing them in various locations in northern and central Italy.
The investigation, codenamed "King George" and coordinated by the Prosecution Office of Milan specialising in combating mafia organisations, began with an initial arrest in Latisana, near Lignano, where two drug dealers were arrested and two kilograms of marijuana were seized. From there, investigators discovered that the two were part of a wider network with branches extending into Lombardy and Liguria.
The traffickers were introducing marijuana, hashish and cocaine into Italy from Albania via the Balkans. The drugs were stored in various flats and garages; near Pavia an indoor cannabis cultivation facility had even been set up. A dense network of "dealers" handled retail sales, with couriers delivering the goods to different markets. The drug dealers were mostly Albanian citizens who remained in Italy for short periods, up to three months, before being replaced by others sent from their home country.
Drug dealing activities took place in the cities of Brescia, Lecco, Siena, Monza, Brianza, Pavia and Savona. During the summer months the network relocated to seaside resorts with clubs, hotels and beach establishments, including Sistiana, Grado, Jesolo, Caorle, Bibione and Latisana.
Investigators tailed members of the organisation over an extended period, carrying out wiretapping and constantly monitoring their movements. The criminals took precautions in their communications, using encrypted channels and regularly changing SIM cards and mobile phones to evade tracking.
During the course of the investigation, 77.7 kilograms of marijuana were seized (the majority in Sesto San Giovanni), 21 kilograms of cocaine, three pistols with tampered serial numbers and ten bladed weapons. On the orders of the Prosecution Office, an Alfa Stelvio equipped for drug transport, immovable property, other vehicles, cash and luxury watches were also confiscated, with a combined value of 1.1 million euros. In total, 35 people were reported and 16 arrested.
Source: Google News SI — Crime (sl)