The group, led by Albanian nationals based in Paraguay, allegedly oversaw the supply chain from South American producers to major European ports, hiding cocaine in shipments of soap, paint and construction adhesive.

The drugs, valued at up to 3.5 billion euros, were seized in Antwerp and Hamburg in 2020 and 2021, SPAK said.

Sixteen suspects have been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and organised crime offences. Fourteen were ordered into custody and two placed under court supervision; nine have so far been detained in Albania, while one is in custody in an EU country.

Investigators say the group laundered its profits through real estate and businesses in Albania and abroad, and also smuggled cash from the EU to Albania using long-distance bus drivers.

The probe was based on encrypted SkyECC communications and involved authorities from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The operation aims to disrupt EU-bound trafficking routes via the Western Balkans toward EU markets. Investigators searched properties, seized devices and began digital forensics to map the network’s finance and logistics.

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