A mega-operation by SPAK, in cooperation with Europol and other European law enforcement agencies, has hit an Albanian criminal drug trafficking organization led by Franc Çopja (alias Franc Gergely) and Ervis Çela. This criminal group was dictating the price of cocaine in Europe and transporting large amounts of euro cash to Albania.
According to the 282-page SPAK file, obtained by Report TV, members of the organization transported money from Latin America to Europe, where Franc Çopja managed the reception of drugs and the accumulation of money, while Ervis Çela took care of sending and hiding the euros in Albania.
In communications discovered by the encrypted application Sky ECC, conversations were recorded discussing ways to hide money, including burying it under the roots of olive trees.
In a conversation on December 12, 2020, Ervis Çela writes to Franc Çopja:
Ervis Çela: "I have 200 olive trees in the mountains, I need to put some water in them. Because olive trees live a long time."
Franc Çopja: "Aahaha... return gold. Don't put money in the ground. Listen to me..."
Ervis Çela: "There's no gold... I have to rob a bank... I have to order it from Africa..."
Franc Çopja: “I know there is no... I will talk to you here, don't make this up to us... I am collecting it slowly... But don't put money in the ground... Or it will go to waste..”
Ervis Çela: "I know that money is being wasted."
In another conversation on December 13, 2020, Ervis Çela communicates with his brother Ardjan Çela, where they discuss the holes where the money will be hidden:
Ervis Çela: "Did you try to dig a hole?"
Ardjan Çela: "I'm finishing preparing them now... it's starting to rain now..."
Ervis Çela: "Will you pass it on?"
Ardjan Çela: "I'm finishing the barrel and going to close it... Ahahaha..."
Ervis Çela: "Ahahaha...did you make it 10?"
Ardjan Çela: "Lala has more...Yes"
Ervis Çela: "I'll start 4/5M this coming week... Ahahaha..."
Ardjan Çela: "Let's talk later..."
On December 14, 2020, Ervis Çela writes to his other brother, Riza Çela, that he has accumulated over 100 million euros. In February 2021, in a conversation with Franc Çopjan, he states:
Ervis Çela: "I don't know where to put the money."
Franc Çopja: "20/30 kilos every day..Make 1000 kilos of gold..."
Ervis Çela: "You're getting about 200/300 pounds per month.."
Franc Çopja: "I'm 55 now..I've only gained 100 kilos so far..."
10 people were arrested in the operation, while 6 others are wanted. The GJKKO confirmed the measure of "arrest in prison" for Ervis Çela and 6 others. Franc Çopja was previously arrested in Belgium.
