An investigation by Italian authorities has raised serious suspicions of a deal between Albanian and Nigerian criminal groups trafficking drugs to Italy.
The Italian newspaper "L'Espresso" reported on Wednesday that after a three-year investigation, the Rome prosecutor's office has arrested 52 people, half of whom are of Albanian origin, the others Italian and African.
They are suspected of belonging to a structured criminal group mixed with Albanians and Nigerians distributing marijuana in major Italian cities. A quantity of drugs with a market value of about 2 million euros was seized from them.
At the head or the leaders of the group, are Geraldo Bejaj and Sule Momodu. Italian media emphasize that the infamous mafias "Cosa Nostra", "Camorra" or "Ndrangheta" have nothing to do with this criminal group, which has engaged the authorities more to find out more.
A network of rental cars were used by the group to move the amount of drugs. Authorities arrested an unemployed Italian man with 350 cars registered in his name. He is suspected of allowing the group to move.
The newspaper "L'Espresso" writes that all the detained Albanians are originally from Vlora. The drug is said to come from outside Italy and holds the same packaging with colored adhesive.
Currently there is no official announcement from the Albanian authorities for cooperation in the operation that arrested 52 people or in possible investigations if the group has a presence in Albania.