Drug trafficking network in France busted, 7 Albanians arrested

A joint operation between French and Belgian authorities has led to the dismantling of a large international drug trafficking network, where seven Albanian citizens have been arrested and significant quantities of narcotics have been seized.

According to foreign media, the operation began on June 10 in France, where the French gendarmerie carried out about 12 checks in the Brittany region. During the operation, four Albanian citizens, aged 21, 30, 30 and 32, were arrested, who are suspected of being part of a criminal organization that trafficked drugs between Belgium and France.

According to the Rennes Prosecutor's Office, the arrested have been placed under investigation by the Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) and have been remanded in custody.

A day later, on June 11, Belgian authorities conducted 14 more checks, arresting five suspects, three of whom were Albanians.

The investigations, conducted over several months, revealed the existence of an Albanian criminal organization that organized the transport of drugs from Belgium to France. According to prosecutor Frédéric Teillet, the group used an apartment in Belgium as a laboratory for receiving, processing and packaging narcotics before distribution on the market.

The drug was transported in vehicles equipped with sophisticated hiding places, specially built to evade authorities' checks.

During the operation, police seized 13 kilograms of cocaine, 26 kilograms of chemical products used to mix and increase the amount of drugs, canisters of acetone and ammonia, as well as equipment for preparing and packaging narcotics. A cocaine press with various logos was also found.

Authorities also seized two pistols and a shotgun.

As part of the investigation, 19 vehicles were seized, some of them of high value, as well as jewelry, with a total estimated value of around 400 thousand euros. In addition, over 90 thousand euros in cash were found, while another 37 thousand euros were blocked in bank accounts. 38 bank accounts were also frozen in Belgium.

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