Colombian authorities, in close cooperation with Interpol and law enforcement agencies in Ecuador and Albania, have arrested Samir Rosales Rodriguez, a notorious drug expert widely known by his alias “The Chemist.”
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| Samir Rosales Rodriguez being held by two Colombian officers |
Cocaine Laboratory in Fier, Albania
Investigators revealed that Rodriguez had previously worked in Frakull, Fier (Albania), where he supervised a clandestine cocaine laboratory inside the residence of Viktor Çervanak, the former head of the Frakull Commune.
This property, according to Albanian police, was used as a base for cocaine processing and chemical concealment. Rodriguez, leveraging his expertise as a chemist, developed sophisticated methods to hide cocaine inside legal products. These packages were then shipped toward European markets, often bypassing standard detection controls.
International Operation Against the Balkan Cartel
Colombian police confirmed that the arrest was the result of joint intelligence sharing between South American and European law enforcement agencies. The capture of Rodriguez highlights the global reach of the Balkan Cartel, a criminal syndicate increasingly recognized as one of the main players in Europe’s cocaine supply.
Officials stress that Albania has become an important logistics hub for drug trafficking, where Latin American experts like Rodriguez collaborate with local criminal networks to refine and repackage cocaine before distribution.
What Comes Next
Rodriguez remains in Colombian custody and will face legal proceedings there. Authorities are also examining possible extradition requests depending on ongoing investigations in Albania and Europe.
Law enforcement agencies emphasize that while his arrest represents a major blow to the Balkan Cartel, the organization continues to operate across multiple continents. The case underlines the necessity of international cooperation in dismantling transnational drug routes that connect South America to European markets.