A significant joint operation against international drug trafficking and organized crime has been executed by Italy and Albania, resulting in 52 arrest warrants.

Prosecutor Lombardo described the operation as a decisive response to the evolving threats posed by organized crime, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated law enforcement efforts.

Out of the 97 arrest warrants issued, 81 suspects were taken into custody while 16 were placed under house arrest, following pre-trial detention orders from the Court of Reggio Calabria.

The suspects are accused of importing cocaine from Colombia, Brazil, and Panama, with drugs concealed in shipping containers and facilitated by bribed port operators in Gioia Tauro.

The arrested individuals face serious charges, including mafia-type criminal association, drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal possession of firearms.

Investigators uncovered trafficking routes and laundering schemes linked to approximately five million euros in cash and at least 1,800 kilograms of cocaine and heroin.

Preventive seizures of two companies in the catering and construction sectors were conducted, suspected of being fronts for illegal mafia activities.

The criminal organizations involved not only engaged in drug trafficking but also extorted local businesses and infiltrated public administrations to gain insights into public procurement processes.

The operation was concentrated in Reggio Calabria, aiming to dismantle drug trafficking alliances among local clans.

Advanced techniques such as wiretapping, video surveillance, and encrypted chat monitoring were utilized, with some chats decrypted through collaboration with Eurojust.

Details about the operation will be shared in an online press conference featuring key officials from the special prosecution and Italian judicial authorities.

Coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria, the operation involved the Carabinieri provincial command and took place in several Albanian cities.