An Albanian drug trafficker, wanted under a European arrest warrant, has been arrested on the outskirts of Rome following an operation by Italian police. 27-year-old Markeljan Hoti was caught in the Ponte di Nona area, where he was hiding in a bed & breakfast with his fiancée.
According to Italian authorities, Hoti is suspected of having played an important role in a criminal organization specializing in cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe. The drugs initially arrived at the port of Antwerp and were then transported by vehicles from Northern Europe to other destinations. After the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden in containers at the port, the 27-year-old had lost track.
A European arrest warrant was issued against him in January, on charges of participating in a drug trafficking organization, an offense that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. The arrest was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the Italian criminal police structures and the anti-drug units of Rome.
Investigations show that the wanted person had managed to remain “invisible” to the authorities because his details were not registered in the official accommodation system by the owner of the structure he was staying in. After identification, he was immediately taken to prison, where he will remain pending extradition proceedings.
