New details have emerged from the operation for the capture of Salvatore alias Shpëtim Aliu in Russia, where Interpol Moscow has notified Interpol Tirana that it had detained an Albanian person launched into the Red Stamp system for " drug trafficking " and " criminal organization ".
It is learned that Shpëtim Aliu, after the problems he had with the Albanian Justice System in June 2026, left Dubai for Moscow, Russia, in the hope of escaping a possible arrest by the Dubai authorities and subsequent extradition to Albania, as has happened in other cases.
Aliu took advantage of this movement due to his connections with a Russian citizen, whom he married. He had decided to live in this country by camouflaging and taking refuge under the guise of a woman.
But apparently the identification of this woman has subsequently led to the discovery of the location of her husband, Salvatore alias Shpëtim Aliu, who was caught unawares by the Russian police.
Following his capture in Russia, the SPAK special prosecutor's office has now sent a letter of request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Russian Federation, with the aim of extraditing Aliu to Albania.
Aliu was declared wanted by SPAK in June of this year, after he is accused, according to investigations, of having played a key role in an international cocaine trafficking network.
According to SPAK's investigative file, Salvatore Aliu is suspected of having laundered at least 30 million euros in Albania, obtained from criminal activities.
An important role in managing the money is suspected to have been played by his brother, Isa Aliu, who turns out to own four companies, used, according to investigations, for investments in real estate, villas, apartments, land and buildings, including hotel structures in tourist areas.
In June 2026, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime imposed the security measure "Arrest in prison" on Aliu, 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".
According to the investigations, Salvatore Aliu used the SKY communication platform and identified himself with several names, including "Dala", "Qero", "Qerosi", "Viktor" and "Albo Pelon".
In an August 2020 communication with his brother, Isa Aliu informs him that he had 6 million euros available. Two weeks later, Salvatore Aliu informs him that he expected to receive another 20 million euros.
In the communications uncovered by investigators, he allegedly gave his brother instructions on how to hide the money until it was invested. Among the suggestions was placing the money in a 50-liter barrel and burying it./ syri