A large police operation has led to the arrest of 11 people in Italy, among whom are reportedly Italians, Albanians and Poles, who are accused of creating a criminal group with the aim of trafficking cocaine.

According to the reports, the group was cracked down after investigations launched after the murder of Albanian Ergys Dashi on January 22 at a restaurant in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Dashi is believed to be the "head" of this group operating in Italy, while cocaine was provided by Dashi himself in Ecuador where it was then transported to Italy.

Carabinieri investigations had begun as early as 2017, following a series of operations on the nightlife streets of Turin (in San Salvario and San Paolo).

Investigations, conducted in Italy, Ecuador, Slovenia, Albania, Poland, Germany and Switzerland, led to thirty wanted persons. So far, 80 kg of cocaine and more than 7 kg of cannabis have been seized. The amount of drugs is worth 4.5 million euros.

Meanwhile, 8 couriers were arrested in flagrante delicto by police traveling in modified cars in Slovenia.

Illegal drug routes (Atlantic route for cocaine and Balkan countries for marijuana) destined for sale in northern Italy, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany were also destroyed.