In a historic seizure, Spanish authorities have confiscated 11 tonnes of cocaine linked to Albanian criminal organizations, exposing the significant influence of the so-called ‘Balkan cartel’ in drug trafficking. The operations, executed in the ports of Vigo and Valencia, mark the largest-ever drug bust in Galicia, a region known as a key entry point for cocaine from Latin America into Europe.
Swift Police Action Removes 11 Tonnes of Cocaine
The Spanish police, led by Antonio Martínez Duarte, head of the Central Brigade of the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit, announced the successful removal of 11 tonnes of cocaine from the market within a week. The illicit substances, originating from Colombia via Ecuador, were concealed in containers arriving at the ports of Vigo and Valencia, underscoring the strategic routes employed by criminal organizations.
Record-Breaking Seizures Uncover Sophisticated Smuggling Techniques
In the first operation in Vigo, a staggering 7.5 tonnes of cocaine were discovered hidden within frozen tuna fillets. This marked an unprecedented bust in Galicia, emphasizing the region’s historical role as a gateway for Latin American cocaine entering Europe. The second operation in Valencia revealed 3.4 tonnes of cocaine cleverly concealed in the double bottoms of maritime containers, showcasing the sophisticated smuggling methods employed by these criminal enterprises.
Diverse Arrests Expose Albanian Mafia’s International Network
Between late November and early December, twenty individuals were arrested in connection to the two operations. The majority were of Albanian descent, with additional arrests including a Colombian, a Dominican, and several Spaniards. Notably, a Galician entrepreneur, utilizing his fish import business as a front, was apprehended for orchestrating the transportation of the illicit drugs. The arrests emphasize the diverse and international nature of the criminal network involved.
Shifting Dynamics in Cocaine Trafficking: The Rise of Balkan Cartel
According to Commissioner Carlos Gómez, head of the Central Drug Squad, the dynamics of cocaine trafficking in Europe have undergone a significant transformation. Traditional closed organizations, such as the Colombian and Mexican cartels, have given way to more open, atomized, and internationalized criminal cooperatives. The Albanian mafias, in particular, have assumed a dominant role in overseeing drug transport from Latin America to Europe, reshaping the landscape of cocaine trafficking in the region.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Albanian Daily News
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