The Collapse of Albania’s Most Feared Cocaine Cartel
Albania’s most ruthless gang, led by notorious drug lords Franc Çopja (33) and Ervis Cela (41), has been dismantled, marking an end to a cocaine empire that smuggled billions of pounds worth of drugs from Latin America to Europe. This cartel, known as the Cela-Çopja clan, was a dominant force in the international cocaine trade, capable of influencing drug prices across the European Union.
How It All Came Crashing Down
The gang’s downfall began with a joint investigation carried out by French, Belgian, and Dutch authorities. The breakthrough came in March 2021 when investigators infiltrated Sky ECC, the world’s largest cryptophone network. This network revealed over 1.7 billion messages, leading to the arrest of key drug traffickers across Europe and exposing the inner workings of the Cela-Çopja clan.
Ervis Cela was arrested in June 2025 in the Albanian village of Qeparo after 11 years on the run. Meanwhile, Franc Çopja was apprehended in Belgium in 2023, having been extradited from a luxury mansion in Dubai. Their operations, which included trafficking 28 tons of cocaine between 2020 and 2021, spanned from production in Paraguay to distribution across Europe.
Cocaine Trafficking and Real Estate Investments
The cartel perfected cocaine trafficking by smuggling drugs hidden in unconventional items like soap crates, paint cans, and industrial glue. Their largest shipments included 11.6 tons of cocaine transported to Antwerp in 2020 and 16.4 tons seized in Hamburg in 2021. According to authorities, these quantities influenced Europe’s cocaine market significantly.
To launder their billions in profits, the cartel heavily invested in high-end real estate, including luxury villas, apartments, and the ‘Ajman Park’ resort in Shijak, Albania. The property, nestled just 27 kilometers from Tirana, became a glaring symbol of the gang’s ill-gotten wealth. Following their arrests, Albanian authorities seized 14 assets worth millions of euros.
Encrypted Communications and Sophisticated Money Laundering
Investigators found that the cartel used “hawala,” a money transfer system, to move illicit gains from Europe back to Albania. Cela reportedly orchestrated some of these operations from Paraguay, showcasing the gang’s global reach. In encrypted communications, Cela even discussed plans to hide cash under olive trees or convert it into gold bullion for safer storage. The gang’s creative yet ruthless methods continue to awe investigators.
The Impact on Europe and Beyond
The cartel’s influence extended to the UK, where cocaine consumption rose by 7% from 2023 to 2024, according to the National Crime Agency and Home Office analysis. Albanian-speaking gangs continue to dominate a significant share of the UK’s drug market, consuming an estimated 117 tons annually.
A High-Tech Investigation
Sky ECC played a pivotal role in uncovering the cartel’s crimes. The encrypted messaging platform was historically used for drug trafficking, money laundering, and distribution of abuse material before being shut down in 2021. Authorities continue to analyze hundreds of millions of encrypted messages as part of their ongoing investigations.
What Lies Ahead?
With Cela and Çopja behind bars, their once-powerful network faces permanent dismantlement. Cela, already convicted in Italy for multiple crimes including murder, now faces an additional 21 years in prison for various charges. Meanwhile, Franc Çopja awaits trial for murder in Belgium. Their fall sends a strong message against organized crime across Europe.
If you’re interested in exploring the hidden impacts of financial crime, consider reading “Dirty Money: The Global Impact of Crime Syndicates”. This book provides an in-depth look at how international cartels impact the world’s economy.
