A criminal group consisting mainly of Albanians engaged in cannabis cultivation has been hit in Barcelona, Spain, leading 56 people, aged 19 to 58, behind bars.
Local authorities say that the action to crack down on this group started on May 24 this year, after keeping under surveillance an electrician, who was engaged in repairing and carrying out illegal electricity connections in dozens of buildings where cannabis was grown.
While during the latest action of the Spanish police, 1250 kilograms of marijuana buds, 22600 plants, 225765 euros "cash" and a pistol were seized. Once the equipment is dismantled, the apartments will be returned to their rightful owners, although they have suffered considerable damage due to their adaptation to drug cultivation.
Albanians cultivated two types of cannabis in 28 dwellings: amnesia and critical, the kiln of which ranged from 2300 to 2500 euros and was transported by land to other European countries.
The criminal organization earned 12 million euros a year
Spanish authorities believe that from the sale of cannabis in Catalonia alone, the Albanian organization earned more than three million euros a year, a figure that is three or four times the share of cannabis exported to other European countries. In total, it is thought that the organization earned about 12 million euros a year, so the authorities have launched a parallel investigation into money laundering.
A large portion of the proceeds was invested in the purchase of bars and restaurants in Barcelona. While another part was sent to Albania hidden in suitcases or through small bank transfers.
The Albanians had managed to deceive the electricity supply company, causing a damage of about 1.5 million euros.
From the production of cannabis in 28 apartments, Albanians had consumed 4.39 GWh of electricity or the annual consumption of 1256 Catalan families.