Shpëtim Aliu, also known as Salvatore, one of the people wanted by Albanian justice in the international cocaine trafficking case, has been arrested in Russia. The 51-year-old was wanted after the Special Court had ordered him to be held in prison, as part of SPAK's investigation into a network suspected of trafficking at least 50 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe.
The arrest was carried out as part of the international operation codenamed "The Wanted", as a result of cooperation between the Interpol Directorate in Tirana and its counterparts in Moscow. The police announced that Aliu has been provisionally arrested in Russia with the aim of extradition to Albania, while the procedures between the Albanian and Russian authorities continue.
In June of this year, the GJKKO ordered the measure of "prison arrest" for 10 Albanian citizens within the framework of criminal proceedings no. 138 of 2020. SPAK is investigating them for the criminal offenses of narcotics trafficking, laundering of proceeds of crime, structured criminal group and commission of criminal offenses by a criminal organization or structured criminal group.
According to SPAK, the suspected network operated in Latin America, Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands between 2019 and 2021. Investigators suspect that at least 50 tons of cocaine were trafficked during this period, while five specific documented episodes are linked to the seizure of a total of 8 tons and 960 kilograms of cocaine.
Documented shipments include 700 kilograms of cocaine seized in Antwerp, Belgium in May 2020; 2.01 tons seized in Guayaquil, Ecuador a month later; 1.1 tons seized in Rotterdam in August; another 4.1 tons seized in Rotterdam in December 2020 and 1.05 tons seized in Colombia in February 2021, with final destination France.
According to reports on the dossier, Aliu is suspected of having a central role in the network, as an organizer, financier and supplier of cocaine shipments. He has been linked by investigations to the supply and coordination with other suspected drug trafficking groups.
SPAK's investigation is not limited to drug trafficking. The Special Prosecution Office suspects that a significant portion of the proceeds from international cocaine trafficking were brought to Albania in cash and then invested in real estate, construction, hotels, commercial companies and other sectors, with the aim of concealing the origin of the money.
As part of this investigation, the GJKKO has imposed preventive seizure on 491 movable and immovable assets, including properties, apartments, villas, hotels, vehicles, vessels, company shares and 209 bank accounts. According to SPAK, the total value of the seized assets is suspected to be around 150 million euros, while the final value remains to be verified during the investigation.
With the arrest of Shpëtim Aliu in Russia, Albanian authorities are now awaiting the completion of extradition procedures, so that the 51-year-old can be brought to Albania and face the charges brought against him.
SPAK has emphasized that the persons under investigation are presumed innocent until a final court decision.
