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"The head of the drug gang in Antwerp, arrested in Tirana"/ The good news of "Cinco" echoes in the Dutch media: Spectacular action against the Albanian mafia
2025-07-28 12:02:29 / AKTUALITET
Taken from Nieuwsblad
The Special Anti-Corruption Service in Albania has arrested Antwerp drug lord Ermir Ndreaj (44), known by the nickname Cinco, in Tirana during an operation against the Albanian cocaine mafia.
Ermir Ndreaj, an Albanian living in Antwerp, was arrested along with three other suspects on charges of leading a structured criminal organization that imported and distributed large quantities of cocaine across Europe. According to SPAK special prosecutors, the organization led by Ndreaj imported at least six tons of cocaine from Latin America in 2020, then distributed it across the continent.
The Cinco organization was active in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama, and had strong contacts in Antwerp and Rotterdam to smuggle large drug shipments. The Albanian network also operated in ports in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. Cash, weapons, luxury Rolex and Richard Mille watches, and expensive cars were seized during the operation. Albanian investigators also seized a newly purchased luxury yacht.
Important figure in the drug world
Ermir Ndreaj, known as Cinco, has been one of the key figures in the Antwerp drug world for many years. His name has been mentioned for more than ten years in almost all major drug investigations, such as the Makreel case or the Clan Y case. His name is mentioned alongside well-known criminals such as Frank De Tank and 'Dikke Nordin' El H. In one of these cases, Ndreaj was recently sentenced to six years in prison. In another, even more recent case, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for importing cocaine.
Aesthetic center in Brussels
Ndreaj and his partner Elira, an Albanian who had studied law in Belgium, had for a long time had an office in Britselei, where their company Cinque was also registered, through which they managed an aesthetic center in the theater district. This company has since been declared bankrupt.
Ndreaj left Antwerp when he realized he had become too exposed. He settled in the Albanian capital Tirana, a city that is experiencing a development boom – partly due to the millions of euros that drug criminals are investing in real estate.
Cinco continued his activity by opening a giant discotheque Cinco Cavalli in Durrës, a coastal city near Tirana. In the elite Deliorgji neighborhood of Tirana, he opened the luxurious Savoy Garden restaurant, frequented by members of the Albanian elite. In the same area, Cinco and his wife Elira also manage the famous aesthetic center “Clinique Cinque”.
Belgian justice
Ermir Ndreaj has long been inaccessible to the Belgian police and justice, as Albania does not extradite its citizens. But now that the Albanian authorities have also initiated action against him, the chances increase that he will face justice in Belgium as well. And this confrontation will not be limited to the 13 years of prison that he has not served in this country.
Cinco is also due to appear in court in Dendermonde in September, where the Belgian federal prosecution is pursuing him in another major drug case, also involving known criminals such as Ali Al Murdaa and Yassin M./ Translated by Alfapress.al
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