Romania uncovers drug trafficking network linked to Albanian dealers
Romanian authorities have dismantled an organized crime group that transported hundreds of kilograms of drugs from Spain to other European countries since 2023. The seized substances could be worth up to €25 million on the black market.
Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism has announced the dismantling of an organized criminal group that, working with Albanian drug traffickers, transported large quantities of drugs from Spain to other European countries. The news was reported by Digi24 and cited by "European Pravda."
On Monday, 16 searches were carried out across Romania, including in the cities of Timișoara, Satu Mare and Oradea. A total of 15 suspects are currently involved in the case.
How the group operated
According to investigators, the group included both Romanian and foreign nationals and had been active since 2023. Transport orders came from Albania. The group's leader, a Romanian citizen, had been on Interpol's wanted list as a high-priority target since 2025.
Drugs were typically transported in hidden compartments inside trucks. Working together with law enforcement from other countries, investigators documented several shipments, including four to France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Quantities seized
During the uncovered shipments, authorities confiscated 114 kilograms of cocaine, 229 kilograms of cannabis and 1.3 tonnes of hashish. The black-market value of the seized drugs is estimated at up to €25 million.
A similar network was previously uncovered in Spain. Separately, in Greece, an attempt to smuggle cannabis worth €2 million was intercepted in a truck traveling from Italy.
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