The State Police informs that a criminal group led by Albanian citizens, based in Antwerp, who trafficked drugs and weapons from South America to Belgium, has been destroyed. 

During this operation, it is learned that the Belgian police have checked 19 apartments and other premises in the city of Antwerp and as a result of joint investigations with the Albanian police, 18 citizens have been arrested (12 of them Albanian and 6 citizens from other countries). 

The arrested Albanian citizens are; Valdrin Markaj, Vitor Berisha, Fatos Markaj, Sami Berisha, Nehat Berisha, Flamur Delic, Fatmir Delic, Zirkret Pepa alias Christos Sachlikidis, Bujar Hoxha, Gezim Shabani, Alban Ferma, Artan Vigani. 

"The police operation codenamed "Antwerp" is finalized as a result of the exchange of information and joint investigations between the State Police and the Federal Criminal Police of Belgium. 

The operation, for the destruction of a criminal organization that was run by Albanian citizens, based in Antwerp, Belgium, that trafficked drugs and weapons, from South America to Belgium. 

During the operation, 18 citizens, members of this criminal organization, 12 of them Albanian citizens, were handcuffed in Belgium. 

As a result of the exchange of information and joint investigations between the structures of the State Police and counterparts in the state of Belgium, for a criminal organization that operated in Belgium and was directed by Albanian citizens, the coded police operation "Antwerp" has been finalized. 

During this operation, the Belgian Police checked 19 apartments and other premises in the city of Antwerp. 

As a result of joint investigations with the Albanian Police, based on the information provided during the investigation, the Federal Criminal Police of Belgium arrested 18 citizens (12 of them Albanians and 6 citizens from other countries), members of the criminal organization that trafficked drugs and weapons , from South America to Belgium. 

The Albanian citizens arrested during the operation are: V. M., 45 years old, V. B., 49 years old, F. M., 52 years old, S. B., 64 years old, N. B., 42 years old, F. D., 34 years old, F. D., 60 years old, Z. P., 50 years old (alias Ch . S.), B. H., 50 years old, G. Sh., 41 years old, A. F., 29 years old and A. V., 42 years old. 

Joint investigations continue for the complete documentation of the criminal activities of this group, the identification and capture of other members of the group," the police informed.