Police cooperation nets major drugs gang

A major ethnic Albanian criminal group involved in extensive trafficking of heroin from the Balkans into Europe has been dismantled after a year-long investigation.

Assisted by Europol and Interpol, the operation was coordinated by Italian and Slovenian law enforcement authorities.

The operation led to the arrest of more than 30 suspects and the seizure of 64kg of heroin, 5kg of ephedrine, 1kg of hashish and 0.5kg of cocaine. A considerable quantity of weapons, ammunitions and other crime assets were also confiscated.

The arrests were based on extensive international police cooperation and information sharing, exchange and subsequent analysis of investigative details and coordination both at police and judicial level.

Known as Operation Gasoline, the investigation was initiated by the Italian Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale (ROS) Carabinieri from Udine, coordinated by the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services in Rome and under the direction of the Anti-Mafia National Directorate of Trieste. Simultaneous investigations were activated both in Slovenia and Austria with the aim of dismantling all branches of the criminal syndicate.

A key part to the success of the case was the COSPOL (comprehensive, operational, strategical planning for the police) – a Western Balkans organised crime (WBOC) initiative. COSPOL and WBOC are multi-lateral law enforcement initiatives under the guidance, support and direction of the European Police Chiefs’ Taskforce (EPCTF).