A criminal group that trafficked cocaine in vehicles from South America to Italy and other Central European countries has been dismantled by Italian authorities.

So far, 12 citizens have been arrested in the mega-operation coded ‘Icardo.al’ and 8 others are being investigated. Among the arrested were five Albanians who were accused of being members of the group have been located and arrested in Albania for extradition purposes.

According to the local media those are Igli Dervishi, Shkëlqim Pashja, Ervin Dema, Edmond Zhuja and Genti Berisha.

Furthermore, information provided by the Albanian Police enabled the capture in Spain of another member of the group, also a citizen with a criminal record, Gerardo Pashja alias Astrit Pashja. Also, during the development of this mega-operation, in Albania, citizen M. M., 28 years old, was identified and declared wanted, who is also wanted for other criminal offenses.

These citizens are accused by the Court of Brescia, Italy, of having organized as a group, trafficked the narcotic drug Cocaine from South America, through vehicles modified to conceal the narcotic substance, and sold it in cities in Italy and in Central European countries.