The court said that more than 3.1 million euros in criminal assets had been confiscated. The investigation began on February 23, 2024, after Antwerp police received information that a BMW with Romanian license plates was being used for international drug trafficking. During its inspection, officers found a modified microwave oven in which more than 2.2 kilograms of cocaine had been hidden inside a cartridge.

According to Belgian media, investigators began monitoring seven locations, five in Antwerp, one in Brasschaat and one in Linter, in Flemish Brabant.

During this surveillance, eight suspects emerged. They were seen several times dragging boxes and bags containing chemicals.

In Geuzenstraat, police discovered, among other things, six garbage bags containing nearly fifty empty containers of products used for washing, cleaning and preparing cocaine.

The microwave ovens were used not only to process cocaine, but also to transport the drug discreetly.

After months of investigation, house raids were carried out on September 5, 2024. In Geuzenstraat and Linter, police uncovered two drug labs where cocaine was washed, cleaned and compressed. More than 1,400 liters of chemicals, 10 kilograms of cocaine and 23 kilograms of cannabis were seized.

3.1 million euros confiscated

In addition, investigators found money-counting machines, mobile phones and extensive accounting records belonging to the drug organization. These revealed that the gang had traded nearly 191 kilograms of cannabis and approximately 7 tons of cocaine, generating an estimated turnover of 147 million euros. Although all of the defendants denied any involvement and sought acquittal, they were ultimately sentenced at the end of June to prison terms ranging from 40 months to six years.

The court also said that more than 3.1 million euros in criminal assets had been confiscated. The harshest sentence was for Arbri C. (35), who, according to the court, played a leading role. He maintained contacts, supervised the various sites and ran the organization, although he himself also took instructions from above. He was sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of 48,000 euros. Arban D. (33), who paid most of the lease contracts for the properties used, was sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 40,000 euros.

The post Trafficked 7 tons of cocaine / Belgian court sentences Albanian gang, 3.1 million euros in assets confiscated appeared first on Albeu.com.

The case file shows that the organization used fruit export companies to cover cocaine shipments, while the narcotics were concealed in containers carrying legitimate cargo that arrived at major European ports.

The document shows that members of the Albanian group regularly traveled to Ecuador to negotiate trafficking deals. Meanwhile, criminal cells based in several European Union countries were involved in organizing logistics and distributing cocaine on the European market.

Investigations have revealed that alerts over suspicious containers led to coordinated operations and significant seizures, while authorities were able to identify sustained cooperation between the Ecuadorian cartel and the Albanian criminal network.

According to the report, this alliance was part of a sophisticated international narcotics trafficking scheme, in which export companies were used as a front to conceal criminal activity and penetrate the European market.

The post Europol document sheds light on links between an Albanian criminal group and the Ecuadorian cartel “Los Lobos” appeared first on Albeu.com.