DIICOT dismantles European drug network coordinated from Romania: 1.7 tonnes seized, €25 million
DIICOT prosecutors conducted 16 search warrants across multiple counties, targeting a pyramid-structured network that transported cocaine and cannabis from Spain across Europe.
Drug trafficking network coordinated from Romania dismantled after 1.7 tonne shipments
DIICOT prosecutors executed 16 search warrants yesterday against members of an international drug trafficking network coordinated from Romania, reports traficmedia.ro. Authorities identified four shipments organised by the group, totalling approximately 1,719 kilogrammes of drugs, valued at over €25 million at resale prices.
Searches were conducted at residences of individuals and offices of legal entities located in the municipalities of Timișoara, Satu Mare, Oradea and Câmpulung Moldovenesc, as well as in the counties of Maramureș, Satu Mare, Timiș and Mehedinți. The criminal case targets the establishment of an organised criminal group, trafficking in risk and high-risk drugs in continuing form, and money laundering.
Group structure: pyramid model with Albanian partners
According to DIICOT, the group was established in September 2023, when five initial suspects — four individuals and a commercial company with an international transport profile — laid the foundations of a pyramid-type criminal structure. Ten other suspects subsequently joined the organisation (nine men and one woman), as well as four commercial companies used as fronts for drug transport. Another suspect, the life partner of one of the leaders, provided logistical support for the entire operation.
The group offered transport services to Albanian drug traffickers — cocaine, cannabis and cannabis resin (hashish) — from countries where drugs entered Europe to destinations within the continent. The mode of operation was classified by investigators as "crime as a service".
How the network operated: lorries with hidden compartments
The group's leaders, based in Romania, received orders from Albanian drug traffickers and transmitted operational coordinates to members at lower levels of the hierarchy. They secured drivers and vehicles — heavy-tonnage road assemblies (lorries) equipped with hidden compartments — and monitored the progress of shipments.
When a shipment was intercepted by authorities in another state, the leaders acted to secure legal assistance for the detained drivers and sought to obtain access to criminal files to verify whether there was evidence that could lead to the top of the network.
International judicial cooperation between 2023 and 2026
The investigation involved extensive judicial cooperation, carried out through European Investigation Orders with authorities in France, Spain, Italy and Germany, with the support of Eurojust. There was also police cooperation with national police forces of the affected states, with the involvement of Europol.
Four shipments detected by judicial authorities in France, Germany, Italy and Spain on the basis of evidence transmitted by Romanian investigators led to the seizure of: - 114 kg cocaine - 228,219 kg cannabis - 1,376,913 kg cannabis resin (hashish)
The total value at wholesale prices is estimated at approximately €9.6 million, and at retail prices at approximately €25 million, calculated according to EMCDDA market values.
Group leader listed by Europol as "High Value Target"
During 2025, the leader of the organised criminal group, a Romanian citizen, was included by Europol — at Romania's request — on the "High Value Targets" (HVT) list. Europol defines an HVT as a person whose criminal activity generates a major, cross-border threat of serious and organised crime to at least two EU member states.
Evidence gathered during the criminal investigation showed that the leader used an encrypted messaging application, frequently used by drug traffickers. The data were obtained through a European Investigation Order from French authorities and will be used as evidence, demonstrating the leader's long-standing connections with Albanian networks and his persistence in criminal activity, in accordance with the case law of other EU member states.
Names of companies involved, published by Romanian media
Newspaper Adevărul subsequently published an investigation in which it revealed the names of the transport companies involved in the network, identifying the leader under the pseudonym "Matrix" — described as the most wanted Romanian drug transporter in Europe.
The case remains under investigation by DIICOT – Central Structure – Drug Trafficking Suppression Section, together with the Organised Crime Suppression Directorate – Anti-Drug Service.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)