Kompania Bello: Albanian-speaking cocaine network (Operation Los Blancos)
Status: Operation concluded in 2020 with arrests and seizures. Later Belgium-Spain operations are reported but not linked in the sources reviewed.
Summary
Europol and Eurojust describe Kompania Bello as one of Europe's most active Albanian-speaking cocaine networks. A joint investigation team led by Italy, with the Netherlands and support from Eurojust and Europol, carried out raids across about ten countries on 15 September 2020. Reports said close to 4 tonnes of cocaine and over EUR 5.5m in cash were seized over the investigation. The network allegedly used drop-off points near Antwerp, and cargo through Antwerp, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Hamburg, with containers and private aircraft.
The alleged leader Dritan Rexhepi had been sentenced in Ecuador in 2015 to 13 years and reportedly ran the group from prison. Reports say the group rebuilt after the 2020 operation. The arrest count differs between sources (about 20 arrests in some accounts, many more in others) and should be checked against the Europol press release.
Key facts
- Investigation: joint investigation team (Italy and Netherlands) set up in 2015 with Eurojust and Europol support (per Eurojust infographic).
- Raids: early hours of 15 Sept 2020 across about ten countries (Eurojust press release dated 17 Sept 2020).
- Seizures: close to 4 tonnes of cocaine and over EUR 5.5m in cash (Eurojust infographic).
- Cocaine bricks reportedly stamped 'Bello' (AGI, Italy).
- Alleged leader Dritan Rexhepi sentenced in Ecuador in 2015 to 13 years.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Joint operation with arrests and seizures took place on 15 Sept 2020 (Eurojust press release).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSpecific routes and the leader's control of the network from prison (Europol statements as reported).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationThe network moved cocaine from South America to Antwerp, Rotterdam and other ports via containers and aircraft (Europol and Eurojust reporting).
- AllegationThe group was directed from prison in Ecuador (reported; InSight Crime).
Open questions (3)
- Final convictions, and which members were tried in Albania or Italy?
- Did any Albanian-side laundering (real estate, exchange offices) follow from this network?
- Were the Belgium-Spain arrests (Arab News, undated) a follow-on case?
Responses (0)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
Nothing recorded in this list.
Figures
Money trail →Kompania Bello operation: cash seized over investigation
€5,500,000
seizureSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: 'over EUR 5.5 million in cash' per Eurojust infographic; the figure is a floor ('over').
Date: Sep 2020 · Payer: not applicable · Payee: state
- Operation Los Blancos: infographic (Eurojust) (opens in a new tab)Eurojust · 2020 · official · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →International
Operation Los Blancos raids (Kompania Bello) across about ten countries
Early-morning raids on 15 Sept 2020 across about ten countries, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust from a joint command room. Close to 4 tonnes of cocaine and over EUR 5.5m in cash were seized over the investigation.
Connections
Alleged leader (Europol)
Evidence: Europol and Eurojust describe Kompania Bello; Rexhepi named as alleged leader in reporting.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 7 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 7 sources
- Publisher
- Eurojust
- Date
- 17 Sep 2020
- Publisher
- Eurojust
- Date
- 17 Sep 2020
- Publisher
- OCCRP
- Date
- Sep 2020
- Publisher
- AGI
- Date
- 17 Sep 2020
- Publisher
- InSight Crime
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Wikipedia
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Eurojust
- Date
- 2020