Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Thirteen arrests across Europe mark the dismantling of a major drug network spanning Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine. Eurojust coordinates the operation, highlighting ongoing security threats from drug trafficking in Europe.
Thirteen people have been arrested in an operation against a drug network in five European countries, including Belgium. The network, which operated in Europe, has been dismantled, reports Eurojust, the European agency that coordinates cooperation between the judicial authorities of the EU member states.
How did Italian authorities uncover the trans-European drug network?
Italian authorities launched their investigation into the drug network in December 2021, which revealed that the group, made up of people of various nationalities, operated across Europe. To ensure that the network did not evade justice, Italian authorities used Eurojust’s facilities to facilitate investigations in other countries and to carry out searches and seizures.
What was the role of Spain in drug distribution?
Members of the organization in Spain supplied the drugs for illegal activities. Couriers then distributed them throughout Europe, in the network’s trucks. Members in Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain and Ukraine then sold the drugs on the local drug market.
On Tuesday, local police in Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain and Ukraine carried out house searches. A total of thirteen people were arrested and the police found electronic devices, drugs and money. In Belgium, the police of Mons took part in the action. Eurojust points out that drug trafficking remains one of the biggest threats to security in Europe. A report on criminal networks in the EU by Europol shows that 50 per cent of these networks are involved in drug trafficking and that 50 per cent of all murders in Europe are directly linked to drug trafficking.
How significant was the ‘Black Eagle’ operation’s impact?
Moreover, the Drug-busting operation ‘Black Eagle’ has reached to a close with two ringleaders convicted to nine years in prison. Brussels Criminal Court has dealt out about 30 sentences following the major drug statute. Albanian ringleaders Alfredo Hamzai (52) and Indrit Kulaj (34) were both convicted to nine years in prison. Both men also had investments seized (€650,000 and €450,000 respectively) and received penalties of €8,000.
This sum was also dealt out to all accessories, some of whom received prison sentences or community benefits while five were exonerated. The court also sentenced missing defendants to six years in prison. Prosecutors had originally asked for 20-year sentences for both ringleaders.
Hamzai and Kulaj headed one of the most powerful cocaine grids in Belgium, importing the product from South America and trading it for €26,000 a kilo (worth €4,500 in its continent of origin). Operation Black Eagle aimed to dismantle the network, first becoming aware of its existence when chemical products related to cocaine production were discovered in Evere in September 2020.
