Albanian-Belgian drug traffickers busted in Belgium and Switzerland

Europol has supported an investigation coordinated by the Federal Judicial Police of Leuven (Belgium) into an Albanian-Belgian drug trafficking gang. The coordinated action days took place between 4 and 6 February when police services intervened to bring down the organised criminal network at various locations in Belgium and Switzerland.

In total, 22 suspects were arrested and six were sent to prison by the authorities in Leuven. Police searched 24 houses in Belgium and various actions were carried out in Switzerland at the same time. 

The investigation led to the discovery of six cannabis plantations with a total of 4 500 cannabis plants. During the operation, an active cannabis plantation with 1 000 cannabis plants was found in a former strip club. This particular plantation was guarded by two suspects of Albanian origin. Similar set-ups were found where Albanians were illegally staying in the country to maintain and guard the plants. In addition, large quantities of cannabis, firearms, bulletproof vests and €10 000 in cash were seized.

These complex criminal investigations were initiated in autumn of 2017 after police received information that a Belgian-Albanian organisation was importing and exporting narcotics on a large scale.

Europol supported the investigation from the beginning by facilitating the exchange of intelligence throughout, as well as providing analytical, financial and technical support.