TIRANE
Albanian police say they have smashed an international drug ring, arresting eight people including the nephew of late Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha and seizing the biggest drug-processing laboratory ever found in Albania.
Drug users in Western Europe and the Balkans were the final targets of the gang behind the operation, which was also operating in Latin America, police said on Thursday.
Police said they seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine in the laboratory in the Xibrake district of Elbasan city, central Albania, as well as more than €350,000 in cash and several weapons.
- Search continues
The drugs had been mixed with palm oil before their arrival in Albania from Latin American countries.
Two Columbians were arrested along with six Albanians.
The operation was executed by Albanian police in co-operation with German police, Albanian national broadcaster Top-Channel said.
The police said they were continuing to search for people involved with the ring in Elbasan, Durres and the capital, Tirana.
