Special Prosecution against Carime and Corruption (SPAK) has issued arrest warrants for eight suspects as part of a major operation targeting an alleged criminal network in the coastal city of Vlora.

Authorities said the investigation relied heavily on encrypted communications from the SkyECC platform, alongside other investigative measures, revealing the group’s alleged involvement in murder, international drug trafficking and money laundering.

According to SPAK, a special court approved pre-trial detention for the eight Albanian nationals on March 5. The operation was carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (Albania), in cooperation with the Albanian State Police and the Police Oversight Agency (Albania).

So far, security measures have been executed against three suspects, one of whom is currently under arrest in Switzerland, while authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining five.

Prosecutors say two of the suspects are linked to the 2021 killing of Gentjan Qarri in Vlora, allegedly coordinating the attack and assisting the perpetrators in planning and escape. Investigators also say the group plotted another killing in the city in May 2021.

The probe also uncovered several international drug trafficking operations. Authorities documented the seizure of 750 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, along with other shipments intercepted in Greece, Germany, Turkey and North Macedonia.

Prosecutors allege the network used sophisticated financial mechanisms to fund cocaine purchases in Latin America and transport the drugs through maritime and land routes to countries across the European Union.

The investigation also revealed the alleged involvement of a police officer accused of using his position to facilitate the criminal activity, including providing logistical support, leaking confidential information about police checks, and accessing the national border control database for the benefit of suspects.

The operation was supported through international cooperation involving Europol, Eurojust and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as authorities say investigations remain ongoing to identify additional suspects and fully document the group’s activities.