DIICOT dismantles drug-trafficking network from Spain: ~1,720 kg seized, 16 searches conducted
DIICOT prosecutors and anti-drugs police conducted 16 searches on Monday across multiple counties, targeting a network that transported hundreds of kilograms of drugs from Spain using lorries with hidden compartments.
Pyramid-structured narcotrafficking network dismantled by DIICOT following two years of joint investigation with four states
DIICOT prosecutors and judicial police officers specialising in anti-drugs operations conducted 16 searches on Monday at residences and premises of legal entities across multiple counties, as part of a case concerning the formation of an organised crime group, trafficking in risk and high-risk drugs in continuous form and money laundering, according to hotnews.ro citing Agerpres.
Searches were carried out in Timișoara, Satu Mare, Oradea and Câmpulung Moldovenesc, as well as in Maramureș and Mehedinți counties.
How the gang operated
According to investigators, beginning in September 2023, four men and an international transport company constituted the nucleus of a pyramid-type organised crime group. Subsequently, ten other suspects — nine men and one woman — joined the structure, together with four other commercial companies used as legal cover for drug transportation.
The gang supplied transport services to Albanian drug traffickers, moving hundreds of kilograms of cannabis, cannabis resin and cocaine from Spain — the main entry point for drugs — to various European destinations. The transport vehicles used were lorries equipped with hidden compartments.
The press office of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) clarifies that the entire activity of the gang was also supported by the life partner of one of the leaders.
Coordination from Romania, legal protection secured in case of capture
The leaders of the group, located on Romanian territory, received orders from Albanian drug traffickers and transmitted to other members the coordinates necessary for operationalising the transports. They were also responsible for securing drivers and vehicles, monitoring the progress of convoys.
When a transport was intercepted by authorities of another state, the gang's leadership took measures to ensure legal assistance for drivers caught in the act and simultaneously sought to obtain access to criminal files to verify whether there were any clues that might lead to the leaders.
The method of operation was characterised by investigators as "crime as a service".
Approximately 1,719 kg of drugs seized in four states
Judicial cooperation with France, Spain, Italy and Germany — conducted between 2023 and 2026 through European Investigation Orders and with the involvement of EUROJUST and EUROPOL — resulted in the identification of four transports detected by authorities from these countries on the basis of evidence and information transmitted by Romanian investigators.
Following these interceptions, 114 kg of cocaine, 228.219 kg of cannabis and 1,376.913 kg of cannabis resin (hashish) were seized, totalling approximately 1,719 kg of drugs. The estimated value of these is approximately 9.6 million euro at wholesale price and approximately 25 million euro at retail level, according to EUDA data reported by DIICOT.
Leader designated "High Value Target" by EUROPOL
During 2025, the leader of the organised crime group, a Romanian citizen, was included by EUROPOL on the High Value Targets list — persons whose criminal activity meets strict risk criteria and generates a major cross-border threat to at least two member states of the European Union. The listing was made at the request of Romania.
Evidence administered during the criminal investigation shows that the leader used an encrypted communications application used by drug traffickers. Data from this application were requested and obtained through a European Investigation Order from the French authorities and will be used as evidence to demonstrate his long-standing links with Albanian trafficking groups, in accordance with the case law of other EU member states, DIICOT indicated.
The questioning of suspects will take place at DIICOT headquarters.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)