Albanian authorities have confirmed the arrest of Ervin Mata in Brazil, a suspected high-profile organized crime figure accused of coordinating international cocaine trafficking operations.
Ervin Mata, widely known by the nickname “the cocaine boss,” was detained in the coastal region of São Paulo following an international arrest warrant issued by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK). The operation was carried out by Brazilian special police units after a nearly two-year investigation conducted in cooperation with Interpol. Authorities tracked Mata’s movements across Latin America, where he allegedly used multiple fake identities to evade capture.
At the time of his arrest, Mata was found carrying several forged identification documents, including passports and ID cards from different countries, enabling him to travel undetected across borders. Investigators revealed that he initially attempted to mislead officers by presenting a fake United Kingdom passport, but further checks exposed the fraud. Intelligence services had monitored his movements toward coastal areas such as Ilhabela, where he reportedly used alternative routes, including maritime transport, to avoid detection.
According to the investigative file, Mata is suspected of playing a central role in coordinating the trafficking of approximately 240 kilograms of cocaine to Frankfurt, Germany, in September 2020. He was later named in 2023 as part of an 11-member criminal group involved in large-scale drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe. Authorities believe he had established strong connections with powerful criminal organizations in Paraguay, which provided logistical support and access to structured drug distribution networks.
The Special Court in Albania has ordered pre-trial detention for Mata on charges including drug trafficking within a structured criminal group and participation in a criminal organization. Ongoing investigations are also examining his potential involvement in other criminal activities in Albania, including attempted murder and money laundering operations linked to the same network.