BRESCIA, Italy – A court in Brescia has delivered a major ruling against an alleged international drug trafficking organization, sentencing 15 members of the “Çela” clan to a combined 100 years in prison for their alleged role in a large-scale cocaine distribution network operating across northern Italy.
 |
Albanian Brothers Among Those Sentenced
Among those convicted are brothers Shkëlqim and Gerardo Pashja, originally from Elbasan, Albania.
Following an abbreviated trial procedure, the two brothers received a combined sentence of 29 years in prison.
Italian investigators alleged that the organization had established a logistical base in the Brescia area, where large quantities of cocaine were stored before being distributed to criminal groups operating in northern Italy.
Cocaine Network Spread Across Northern Italy
According to prosecutors, the organization supplied cocaine to several areas, including:
- Brescia
- Verona
- The Lake Garda region
Investigators identified several Italian nationals allegedly involved in the operation.
Among them were:
- Simone Paolisso
- Roberto Gottardi
- Fabrizio Manza
They were accused of assisting with transportation and storage operations, while Marco Morandi allegedly acted as a communication link between members of the group and its leadership.
250 Kilograms of Cocaine Seized in Verona
One of the key moments in the investigation occurred in November 2021, when Italian authorities seized 250 kilograms of pure cocaine in Verona.
According to investigators, the shipment was intended for the organization’s base in Brescia before being distributed throughout the region.
The operation revealed the scale of the alleged trafficking network and the role played by Brescia as a central logistical hub.
Sky ECC Messages Helped Authorities Reconstruct Network
A crucial element of the investigation was the analysis of communications through the encrypted platform Sky ECC.
Italian authorities, working together with Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), used intercepted communications to reconstruct the structure, movements, and activities of the alleged criminal organization.
Investigators claimed that members of the group traveled internationally, including to Colombia and Ecuador, where they allegedly negotiated directly with cocaine suppliers.
The investigation also identified movements toward the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, as part of the network’s international connections.
Cocaine Route From South America to Italy
According to the prosecution’s findings, cocaine shipments arrived first through ports in Belgium and the Netherlands, where the organization allegedly maintained contacts.
The drugs were then transported by truck to rented warehouses in the Brescia area, where they were allegedly divided and distributed to other criminal groups operating in northern Italy.
Investigators estimated that cocaine reached a wholesale value of approximately €40,000 per kilogram.
The proceeds were allegedly transferred back to Albania through bus routes connecting Brescia and Elbasan.
Genti Berisha Also Sentenced in Same Case
The same trial also resulted in an 8-year prison sentence for Genti Berisha.
Berisha gained additional attention after an incident on June 23, when he allegedly struck and killed a police officer in Milan while attempting to escape.
During questioning by prosecutors, Berisha reportedly admitted that he had failed to stop because his vehicle contained illegal substances, specifically hashish.
International Cooperation Against Drug Networks
The Brescia ruling highlights the increasing cooperation between Italian and Albanian authorities in investigations targeting international organized crime networks.
The case demonstrates how criminal groups operating across borders rely on complex supply chains, encrypted communication systems, and international connections to move narcotics from South America into European markets.
Authorities continue to monitor possible links between organized crime groups in Albania and their activities in Italy and other European countries.