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| Montage of some photos of Ylli Didani and the seized drug packages related to him |
In a recent operation named "Operation Bandi-Hammer," the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in collaboration with Spanish and Dutch law enforcement revealed the intricate details of a major cocaine trafficking network responsible for moving 2.3 tons of cocaine. At the heart of this criminal enterprise is Ylli Didani, a 46-year-old Albanian native from Saranda, identified as the mastermind behind the drug trafficking operation.
Ylli Didani has been in custody in the United States since March 2021, but the recent DEA operation shed new light on his connections and leadership role within the criminal group. The investigation tracked Didani's activities for years, linking him to intercepted cocaine shipments in Bilbao and Algeciras, resulting in arrests in Spain and the Netherlands.
According to Spanish media, the DEA had been monitoring Ylli Didani's moves for an extended period. The agency highlighted photographs retrieved from Didani's text messages, showcasing plans for submerged containers containing cocaine, operated with remote control, GPS, and magnets. The plan involved deploying these underwater vessels or drones beneath cargo ships, approximately 100 miles from their European destination, where a fishing boat would retrieve the payloads.
The United States government disclosed that Didani, through his companies, played a pivotal role in concealing the cocaine shipments amidst banana cargoes seized in Spain. He purchased armored vehicles from a North American company, shipped them to Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, two locations from which two of the arrested individuals originate.
The operation also exposed Didani's involvement in attempting to transfer €111 million between a German bank and another bank in Dubai. At the time of his arrest, Didani was found with a bracelet worth over €3000 and a Rolex.
The use of drones for underwater operations was allegedly initiated by a businessman based in Michigan and aviation enthusiast named Marty Tibbits, known in the criminal world as Dale Johnson. Tibbits, who passed away in a 2018 aviation accident, left Didani as the sole responsible party for their criminal business.
Didani's criminal connections extended to Ecuador, where the Albanian mafia and Balkan cartels have a significant presence, as well as other countries like Colombia, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. The destinies of the drug shipments included Bilbao and Algeciras, as revealed by recent investigations by Spanish and Dutch authorities leading to the arrest of five of Didani's associates in Europe.
The decrypted communication platform, Sky ECC, used by Didani for his covert communication, unveiled the details of his criminal activities. The United States government alleges that Didani was involved in purchasing anti-ballistic vests and orchestrating cocaine deals. The investigation revealed his ties to major drug shipments, particularly originating from Ecuador, a crucial hub for the Albanian mafia and Balkan cartels.
While Didani awaits trial in the United States, the investigation focuses on Dubai as a residence for individuals linked to his businesses. Dubai has long been known as a sanctuary for European criminals of all kinds.
In South America, Didani maintained strong contacts in Ecuador, where DEA attributed the seizure of 3400 kilograms of cocaine in containers in recent years, including 1100 kilograms intercepted by Customs Surveillance in the port of Bilbao.
Meticulous investigations continue in the quest to uncover Didani's associates in the Rías Baixas region, focusing on two well-known organizations with the capacity to invest in depots and a fixed presence in South America. However, identifying and proving their involvement poses a considerable challenge for law enforcement. The intricate web of Ylli Didani's criminal empire has left an indelible mark on international law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking.