Wanted by SPAK for drug trafficking, cocaine "godfather" Salvatore Aliu arrested in Russia

2026-09-23 20:37:34Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Wanted by SPAK for drug trafficking, cocaine "godfather" Salvatore
Salvatore alias Shpetim Aliu

Salvatore alias Shpëtim Aliu, Shpëtim Aliu, one of the main people investigated by SPAK for international cocaine trafficking, has been arrested in Russia.

Along with him, the arrest of another person was also made possible, both of whom were wanted by SPAK.

For Shpëtim Aliu, the GJKKO had imposed the measure of "arrest in prison" on June 19, 2026, within the framework of the same investigation where security measures were also imposed against other persons suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Aliu, originally from Elbasan, is suspected by Albanian authorities as the central figure of a network that, according to SPAK investigations, trafficked at least 50 tons of cocaine to European countries during 2019–2021.

The key figure appears to have been his brother, Isa Aliu, who officially has 4 different companies used for investments in the purchase of real estate, villas, apartments, land, or even in the construction of hotels in tourist areas of the country.

POLICE NOTIFICATION

Two members of intercontinental criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and the illegal movement of immigrants were arrested in Russia and Italy.

As a result of the informational and operational cooperation between specialists of the Interpol Directorate and their counterparts from Interpol Moscow and Interpol Rome, during these 2 phases of the operation codenamed "The Wanted", the following internationally wanted citizens were provisionally arrested for the purpose of extradition to Albania:

- Salvatore Aliu, 51 years old, captured in Russia, to whom, in June 2026, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime has assigned the security measure "Arrest in prison", for the criminal offenses "Drug trafficking", "Laundering of proceeds of crime or criminal activity", "Structured criminal group" and "Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group".

-Alok Mittra, 47 years old, captured in Italy, whom, in 2024, the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime sentenced to 15 years in prison, for the criminal offenses of "Aid for illegal border crossing", "Forgery of documents", "Structured criminal group" and "Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group".

The investigation revealed that the 47-year-old was part of a criminal group that, over a period of 6 months in 2023-2024, organized the illegal crossing of the border of approximately 253 Bangladeshi citizens in exchange for financial benefits. The foreign citizens were brought to Albania from Dubai and signed fictitious employment contracts to obtain residence permits. Once they were provided with this document, they left for EU countries. During the course of this criminal activity, citizen Alok Mittra accompanied the foreign citizens and handled their transportation and accommodation.

In cooperation with counterparts in Moscow and Rome, Interpol Tirana is continuing the procedures for the extradition of both citizens to Albania.


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