Dutch media Het Parol has reported the destruction of the largest Albanian drug cartel finalized yesterday after 5 years of investigation. The article states that 20 Albanians in 10 different countries of the world, part of the Bello Company, have been handcuffed, as part of the investigation led by the Italian justice.
Two of them stoped at their homes in the Netherlands
The article points out that in close cooperation with the Italian authorities were also the Dutch, in order to dismantle the largest drug cartel operating in Europe. Het Parol writes that 84 members of the cocaine trafficking gang coming from Ecuador to Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany were previously arrested. In 5 years of investigation, a total of 4700 kg of cocaine and 5.5 million euros were seized.
Arrests in the Netherlands
On October 31, 217, seven suspects were arrested in the Netherlands as leaders of drug trafficking in this country, led by Ilirjran M., then 36 years old. His right-hand man, 37-year-old Ervin K., was also handcuffed. They are still following the court battle, while the chances are that their lawsuit will be filed early next year.
The Bello Company was run by two Albanians, Denis Matoshi and another in Ecuador. Denis Matoshi alias Elti Dizbari arrested in Dubai, kept in touch with all clans distributing cocaine across Europe, including the Dutch group that was hit in late 2017.
They found hidden spaces
The Bello company did business directly with South America, shipping cocaine to the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg. From there, the local branches of the organization distributed further the loads themselves. They often hid loads in hidden spaces in cars, such as in the cushion space on the passenger side or under the floor. The members of the organization lived in Europe, often in luxury apartments with internal parking garages and communicated through encrypted messages. The fact that Albanians have legally changed their names several times further complicated the investigation.
How the money was hidden
In a hidden space in the trunk of a car used by the organization, Amsterdam police found 1.4 million euros. The spaces were cleverly located while sometimes being opened on their own by means of a hydraulic system. The international investigation into the Los Blancos operation was led by Florence, where the union had its European headquarters.