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Albanian Mafia of “Lucerne”/ Cocaine trafficking, money laundering and Albanian connections in Switzerland! How money was laundered with the tourist agency...
2025-07-30 10:15:41 / AKTUALITET
A criminal organization originating from the Balkans is suspected of trafficking kilograms of cocaine into Switzerland and laundering millions of euros through a travel agency in the city of Lucerne, only to then smuggle the money back into Albania. These are the suspicions raised by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office and the Albanian Special Prosecution Office (SPAK).
Six suspected members of this criminal network were arrested in Switzerland, while two key figures were detained in Albania. One of them is considered the leader of the group – a “cocaine boss” who owns a network of businesses in Albania, including a travel agency, a money transfer company and a car rental service.
Connections with the canton of Bern and early activity in Biel
It is suspected that this criminal network also had a branch in the city of Biel, canton of Bern. Investigations reveal that Albanian bosses had strong ties to this area. One of them lived in Biel with his family around 2004, registered at several addresses. There are even indications that he was imprisoned in Basel-Landschaft during the same period.
In August 2022, Lucerne police seized one kilogram of cocaine during an operation against an Albanian drug gang. Six people were arrested and money and drugs were seized. The case coincides with a long history of Albanian involvement in drug trafficking in Switzerland, dating back to the 1990s, when Swiss authorities launched major operations against heroin trafficking from Turkey through the Balkans.
Arrests in Albania and the bombing
In 2018, the trafficker was arrested in Tirana along with three other people, on charges of cocaine trafficking. Police seized 276 grams of cocaine, two vehicles and seven mobile phones.
The following year, in 2019, an explosive device detonated on the outer wall of his money transfer business in Tirana. The event is suspected to have been a warning to him, however he stated that he had not received any prior threats and did not know who might be behind the attack.
A network of businesses and money laundering in Switzerland
Investigations reveal that close relatives of the suspect are active in a large number of construction companies, restaurants, import-export, car dealerships and real estate in Switzerland, especially in the Biel region. The real estate register shows that these individuals are owners of several buildings and land.
One of the family members is suspected of running a network of construction and real estate companies, as well as a pizza delivery service. This network is linked to a known scene of illegal employment, social security fraud and invoice forgery.
In the so-called "Biel Network" case, investigations reveal traces of several construction companies that ended up bankrupt after several years of operation. The lack of remaining assets, illegal employment and abuse of the tax system are clear signs of money laundering. The businesses also include known "company destroyers", who use front individuals - often foreign nationals - to avoid legal liability.
Dubai properties and international connections
According to a website of one of the companies in Biel, the clan is also active in the luxury real estate market in Dubai – a well-known international center for money laundering. Close ties have also been established with businessmen of Turkish origin in Switzerland, who operate in the same addresses and sectors.
The investigations are still ongoing and it is worth noting that the principle of presumption of innocence applies to all persons involved. However, the extent and complexity of this criminal network sheds light on the challenges faced by the authorities in the fight against transnational organized crime./ Translated by Alfapress.al from watson.ch
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