Europol: 28 members of a ‘ndrangheta network active in Italy, Albania, and Spain arrested

Brussels – Today (8 July), a coordinated operation with the Italian, Spanish, and Albanian security services, with the collaboration of Europol, took place and led to the arrest of 28 members of the ‘ndrangheta of Italian and Albanian origin. Among those arrested is an Italian citizen resident in Calabria suspected of having set up a criminal structure for the cocaine trade in the San Basilio area of Rome. 

This man, together with his three sons, is suspected of having collaborated closely with an Albanian criminal group, which managed some of the logistical aspects of drug trafficking. The Albanian members of this network allegedly organised the handling of shipments from Latin America via various Spanish and Dutch ports and their subsequent transport to Italy. In addition, they were responsible for selling the drugs in other areas of Rome. Once the cargo had arrived in the port of Gioia Tauro in Calabria, the transport was ensured by Calabrian criminals. 

Those arrested are suspected of trafficking at least 1,019 kg of cocaine and 1,497 kg of hashish in 80 trafficking operations. Prosecutors suspect that four Italians kidnapped a drug dealer, causing him physical and psychological trauma—an example of the severe violence associated with ‘ndrangheta. The torture inflicted was filmed with a phone, and the video was released to spread fear, silence, and submission to the members in Rome. 

A Europol expert with a mobile office was dispatched to Italy to verify information against Europol’s databases, which also provided financial analytical support and facilitated the exchange of information between Italian and Spanish authorities. This resulted in five arrests in Spain during the investigation before the day of intervention.