DIICOT: 16 searches in drug trafficking case, 1.7 tonnes seized
DIICOT prosecutors and police conducted 16 search warrants on Monday in Bucharest and several counties. Over 1,700 kg of cocaine, cannabis and hashish were seized in total.
Drug transport network for Albanian narco-traffickers dismantled following investigations in four EU countries
DIICOT prosecutors and officers from the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime carried out 16 search warrants on Monday in the municipalities of Timișoara, Satu Mare, Oradea and Câmpulung Moldovenesc, as well as in the counties of Maramureș, Satu Mare, Timiș and Mehedinți, according to Google News RO — Crime. The investigation targets an organised criminal group accused of trafficking in drugs of high and very high risk, on a continuous basis, and money laundering.
The group's leader, a Romanian citizen, was entered during 2025 by Europol, at Romania's request, on the "High Value Target" list — a category reserved for individuals whose criminal activity generates a major, cross-border threat to at least two EU member states.
Modus operandi: "crime as a service" for Albanian networks
According to DIICOT, the group had been operating since September 2023. Five initial suspects — four men and one trading company with an international transport profile — formed the nucleus of a pyramid structure to which another 10 suspects (nine men and one woman) subsequently joined, along with four other firms used as a legal front for drug transportation. The life partner of one of the leaders is also indicated as a suspect for supporting the group's activity.
"The leaders of the organised criminal group, based in Romania, transmitted to members at the other levels of the group the coordinates for operationalising the shipments, made the necessary arrangements for involving drivers and ensuring vehicles, then monitoring from Romania the conduct of the shipments," DIICOT states.
When shipments were intercepted by foreign authorities, the group's leaders took charge of ensuring legal assistance for drivers caught red-handed and simultaneously monitored access to criminal files to check whether there was evidence that could lead to the leaders.
The drugs — cannabis resin, cannabis and cocaine — were transported from Spain to various European countries, hidden in special compartments built into large-tonnage lorries. Investigators characterise the model as "crime as a service": the group provided Albanian narco-traffickers with complete logistics and transport services, depending on the orders received.
1,719 kilograms of narcotics, estimated value of €25 million
The investigative work documented by prosecutors resulted in four shipments detected by judicial authorities in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, based on evidence and information transmitted by Romania. The quantities captured in these operations amount to:
- 114 kg cocaine
- 228,219 kg cannabis
- 1,376,913 kg cannabis resin (hashish)
Total: approximately 1,719 kg of drugs, with an estimated value of approximately €9.6 million at wholesale level and approximately €25 million at retail level, according to EUDA market values.
Judicial cooperation with France, Spain, Italy and Germany
The investigation involved extensive judicial cooperation, carried out during the 2023–2026 period, through European Investigation Orders with authorities from France, Spain, Italy and Germany, via Eurojust. There was also extensive police cooperation, with the involvement of Europol, with national forces from member states affected by the group's activity.
DIICOT notes that the group's leader used an encrypted communications application, used in drug trafficking circles. Data were requested and transmitted via European Investigation Order from French authorities.
"These will be used as evidence demonstrating the leader's long-standing connections with Albanian drug trafficking groups, as well as their persistence in criminal activity," DIICOT stated, adding that the approach is in accordance with the case law of other EU member states.
Hearings at DIICOT Central Structure
Monday's action benefited from the support of the Cybercrime Combating Service, the Economic Macro-Crime Combating Service — both within the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime — the brigades subordinated to DCCO and personnel from the Intervention and Special Operations Service.
Hearings of the targeted individuals will take place at DIICOT headquarters – Central Structure, Drug Trafficking Combating Section.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)