On 25 November, Albanian authorities, with the support of Europol, took enforcement actions against 21 individuals, including a former judge, a lawyer a police officer, and two investigative journalists as part of a corruption investigation linked to a high-risk criminal organisation. Earlier this month, an arrest was made in Milan, Italy, thanks to swift operational coordination among the countries involved in the investigation.

The operation, supported by Europol, was launched after the analysis of encrypted communications from the SKY ECC communication platform revealed extensive evidence of corrupt practices, including organised and serious crimes. The suspects are alleged to have played key roles in enabling and shielding the activities of a violent Albanian criminal group importing cocaine from South America to Europe. The proceeds from these criminal activities were laundered in Albania, where numerous properties and assets linked to the criminal network were identified and seized.

The former judge and lawyer are accused of manipulating judicial proceedings in favour of the criminal organisation, while the police officer is suspected of leaking sensitive operational information. Two journalists are believed to have exploited their position to disseminate disinformation, influencing public opinionand undermining investigations into the criminal network.

The criminal organisation, centred around a family clan, originates from the city of Elbasan in Albania. Its members are notorious for employing extreme violence against rivals, including orchestrating sniper attacks and murders both within Albania and internationally.

During the investigation, two significant drug seizures were linked to the network: approximately 450 kilograms of cocaine intercepted in the Netherlands and a further 900 kilograms seized in Ecuador.

Europol has played a pivotal role in this investigation, leveraging its analytical and operational capabilities to support the Albanian authorities in their corruption probe beyond the core organised crime investigation. In coordination with the Belgian, Dutch and French authorities, Europol delivered intelligence packages from SKY ECC communications to Albanian authorities and conducted in-depth analysis to uncover links to other EU investigations.

On the action day, Europol deployed a specialist to Albania’s capital, Tirana, to assist with international coordination, while analysts at its headquarters provided live data cross-checks to support ongoing operations.

The following authorities took part in the investigation: 

• Albania: Special Prosecution Office for Anticorruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), National Bureau of Investigation (Byroja Kombëtare e Hetimit), with the support of the State Police (Policia e Shtetit)
• Belgium: Federal Judicial Police (Police Judiciaire Fédérale/Federale Gerechtelijke Politie)
• France: National Police (Police Nationale)
• Italy: State Police (Polizia di Stato)
• The Netherlands: National Police (Politie)