TIRANA, May 26 /ATA/ – Albanian and Italian anti-mafia prosecutors said on Tuesday they have dismantled a suspected transnational criminal network involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, in a joint operation that led to 15 security measures and the seizure of assets worth around 1 million euros.
Speaking alongside prosecutors from Bari’s Anti-Mafia Directorate, the head of Special Anticrime and Anticorruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK), Klodian Braho said the operation stemmed from a long-running joint investigation supported by Eurojust.
Authorities in Albania and Italy issued measures against 15 suspects – 11 Albanians and four Italians – with arrests carried out in Albania, Italy and Spain.
Investigators said the group was involved in international narcotics trafficking and laundering criminal proceeds between Italy and Albania.
Braho said authorities had seized around 1 million euros in cash, along with companies, vehicles and bank accounts suspected of being linked to criminal activity.
The investigation also examined the April 2025 killing of Francesco Diviesti in southern Italy, which prosecutors described as a mafia-style execution.
The latest operation follows a series of joint investigations between SPAK and prosecutors in Bari targeting Albanian-organised crime networks involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking.
Since 2018, joint operations have resulted in around 170 arrests and the seizure of several tonnes of narcotics, prosecutors said.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
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