Sights set on money laundering cocaine traffickers

1 August 2015

The Federal Judicial Police (FJP) of West Flanders conducted an investigation into an Albanian criminal organisation that imported cocaine from the Netherlands and distributed the cocaine in Liège, Ostend and Italy. The illegally obtained funds were laundered through the purchase of real estate in Belgium and Albania, luxury vehicles (that were transported to Albania) and other luxury goods. In Belgium, the investigators seized vehicles, jewellery, cash, money on accounts and one apartment, to a total value of about EUR 340,000. Further investigations in Albania showed that the main suspects led a life of luxury there. The seizure of the funds in Albania and the cooperation with the Albanian authorities were difficult.