15 people were arrested today by the Guardia di Finanza, in Basilicata, Liguria and Puglia, as part of an anti-drug operation by the anti-mafia of Potenza. The prosecution hit a clan composed of Italians and Albanians accused of international trafficking of narcotics (heroin, cocaine, hashish and marijuana) from Albania, where the accumulated income was invested.
The organization was created in Scanzano Jonico (Matera), in a farm that served as a "base" for drug trafficking.
The connection with Albania was made through "a complex system of coded conversations".
The traffickers used a messaging platform considered "secure and armored". Authorities seized over 20 kilograms of heroin, 5.7 kilograms of marijuana and 105 grams of cocaine.
In addition to the arrest of 15 suspects, mainly Albanians, including the "head" of the organization and his closest collaborator, the owner of the farm, preventive seizures of assets with a value of 4.2 million euros were carried out, "which corresponds to the profit estimated from the illegal trafficking of narcotics".
The proceeds from drug trafficking were invested in Albania "for the purchase of real estate and commercial activities".