William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
Introduction
The Albanian mafia has established itself as a key player in international cocaine trafficking, operating from Ecuador to Europe with a sophisticated business model that combines the use of legal companies and flexible structures to evade controls and sanctions. Its presence in Latin America, particularly in Ecuador, has grown over the last two decades, forming alliances with Latin American cartels and European mafias to control routes and logistics, without resorting to the massive violence characteristic of other criminal groups (BBC Mundo, 2022; Infobae, 2025; DNews, 2024).
This report details the anatomy of this global network, its operations, links, money laundering strategies, the role of corruption and international cooperation, the web of allied criminal organizations in the region, the strategic ports used, its connection with the Cartel of the Suns in
Venezuela, and recommendations for comprehensive combat.
Allied criminal organizations of the Albanian mafia in the region
The Albanian mafia has woven a network of alliances with multiple Latin American and European criminal organizations, fundamental to its operational capacity and global expansion.
Among the main allied organizations and clans are:
In Ecuador:
- Los Choneros
- Los Lobos
- Los Lagartos
- Los Chone Killers
- Tiguerones
These gangs participate in the transportation, custody, and shipment of cocaine in Ecuadorian ports, and have established personal and family ties with emissaries from the Balkans, even going so far as to share compadrazgos to strengthen trust and cooperation (Primicias, 2025; DNews, 2025; Infobae, 2025).
In Colombia:
- Clan del Golfo
- Dissidents of the FARC
- Narco-paramilitary gangs like La Constru
These groups supply cocaine and control border corridors, facilitating access to raw materials and routes to Ecuador (BBC Mundo, 2022; DNews, 2025).
In Mexico:
- Sinaloa Cartel (especially the faction of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada)
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
- Clan of the Hysa brothers (linked to money laundering and front companies in Baja California, Quintana Roo, and Sonora)
The Albanian mafia collaborates with these groups in money laundering, the creation of front companies, and logistics for the shipment of cocaine to Europe. Furthermore, investigations have documented that the Albanian mafia launders money for the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel through casinos and operations in Mexico and Europe, and participates in the protection and cover-up of synthetic drug and cocaine shipments (La Jornada, 2022; El Universal, 2022; El País, 2022).
In Peru and Bolivia:
- Local drug trafficking groups and cocaine suppliers
The Albanian mafia has established direct contacts with Peruvian and Bolivian producers and gangs, ensuring the acquisition of cocaine at low prices and the exit of shipments through alternative routes (BBC Mundo, 2022; DNews, 2025).
In Europe:
- Kompania Bello (a federation of 14 Albanian criminal clans)
- La ’Ndrangheta (Italian mafia)
- Cosca Alampi (Calabrian clan linked to ’Ndrangheta, with a presence in Guayaquil)
- Cosa Nostra and Camorra (other Italian mafias with which they share routes and port logistics)
These mafias collaborate in controlling strategic European ports such as Antwerp, Gioia Tauro, Rotterdam, and Thessaloniki, and in money laundering and distribution on the continent (Código Vidrio, 2025; Primicias, 2025; Infobae, 2025).
In Venezuela:
- Cartel of the Suns
Albanians have established strategic ties with the Cartel of the Suns, an organization led by Venezuelan military personnel that controls ports, airports, and drug trafficking routes. This alliance facilitates cocaine trafficking to Europe through infiltration in Venezuelan ports such as Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, and clandestine air routes coordinated by corrupt military personnel (BBC Mundo, 2022; El Mundo, 2020; Infobae, 2025). They also operate in money laundering and political destabilization activities, with a presence in special economic zones like Margarita and in banking and security entities (DNews, 2024; ONU, 2020; Viory Video, 2025).
Other alliances and regional presence:
The Albanian mafia has also been detected in Chile, where it maintains contacts with local networks to expand routes and illicit activities (DNews, 2025).
Strategic ports used by the organization
The Albanian mafia operates through a transnational logistics network that takes advantage of key ports in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Europe for cocaine trafficking:
In Ecuador:
- Guayaquil: Main operational center, with seven of its eight maritime ports (Contecon, TPG, Banana Puerto, Fertisa, among others) used to contaminate export containers. Between 2016 and 2019, 40 tons of drugs were seized only in this port (Plan V, 2019; Swissinfo, 2024).
- Puerto Bolívar (El Oro): Used for banana shipments with hidden compartments in containers, coordinated with local gangs (Plan V, 2019).
- Manta and Esmeraldas: Used as alternatives to evade controls, although with a lower volume of operations (Plan V, 2019).
In Colombia:
- Buenaventura: Key point for receiving cocaine from Valle del Cauca, which is then sent to Ecuador for camouflage in exports (BBC Mundo, 2022).
- Cartagena: Used as a stopover on maritime routes to Europe, especially for shipments of contaminated fruit (BBC Mundo, 2022).
In Venezuela:
- Puerto Cabello and La Guaira: Used in alliance with the Cartel of the Suns for cocaine shipments to Europe, taking advantage of institutional protection and the weakness of the
(El Mundo, 2020; BBC Mundo, 2022).
In Europe:
- Antwerp (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Netherlands): Controlled through infiltration in port terminals, where the Albanian mafia shares operations with the Italian ’Ndrangheta (Código Vidrio, 2025; Infobae, 2025).
- Gioia Tauro (Italy): Neural center of the ’Ndrangheta for reception and distribution, with logistical alliances with Albanian networks (Código Vidrio, 2025; Infobae, 2025).
- Vigo and Algeciras (Spain): Used for mass unloading (10 tons seized in 2024-2025), taking advantage of new maritime routes from Ecuador (El País, 2025).
- Thessaloniki (Greece): Recurring destination for redirecting shipments after alerts in other ports (Código Vidrio, 2025; Infobae, 2025).
Business recycling and money laundering
Business recycling is a key strategy for the resilience of these networks. It involves temporarily removing administrators and shareholders involved in seizures or investigations to reduce public exposure and the risk of sanctions, subsequently reincorporating them. This allows companies to continue operating, maintaining permits and licenses, and facilitating money laundering through legal activities like banana and meat exports (Infobae, 2025). Between 2014 and 2023, at least six Albanian companies have been involved in seizures, but have remained active or resumed operations after making cosmetic changes in management (Infobae, 2025).
Corruption and institutional complicity
Corruption is a determining factor that facilitates the operation of the Albanian mafia in Ecuador and the region. Infiltration in the judicial system, security forces, customs, and ports allows members of these networks to evade justice, obtain early releases, and continue their illegal activities with impunity (Primicias, 2025; DNews, 2025). The complicity of officials facilitates the contamination of containers, access to privileged information, and the protection of criminal operations (Plan V, 2023). This institutional corruption weakens the state's ability to effectively combat drug trafficking and perpetuates the influence of these mafias in the Ecuadorian economy and society (BBC Mundo, 2022).
International cooperation and the role of the United States
The United States has increased its cooperation with Ecuador to combat drug trafficking and the Albanian mafia, focusing on curbing illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and strengthening the economy to reduce criminal influence (Infobae, 2025; Swissinfo, 2025). The DEA and other U.S. agencies collaborate in investigations, intelligence sharing, and joint operations that have resulted in the capture and extradition of Albanian leaders (Albanian Daily News, 2021). Additionally, Washington supports with technology, training, and political backing to strengthen Ecuadorian institutions against these threats (Washington Examiner, 2024). However, the sophistication of the networks and local corruption remain significant challenges for the effectiveness of these actions.
Recommendations for combating the Albanian mafia and its allied networks
Strengthen international cooperation and shared intelligence:
It is essential to maintain and deepen collaboration among police and judicial agencies from Ecuador, Europe, the United States, and neighboring countries. Joint operations like the “Pampa” case, which led to the arrest of 30 people in Ecuador and Spain, demonstrate the effectiveness of transnational cooperation in targeting both routes and the financial structures of organized crime (Infobae, 2025; Swissinfo, 2025; Plan V, 2025; YouTube, 2024).
Supervision and control of front and exporting companies:
Implement periodic audits, reinforced customs controls, and monitoring of changes in the administration of exporting companies, especially in the banana and meat sectors, to detect patterns of business recycling and money laundering (Infobae, 2025).
Institutional reform and cleansing:
It is urgent to strengthen independence and internal control capability in the judicial system, customs, security forces, and ports. The cleansing of corrupt officials and the protection of witnesses and informants are key to breaking down institutional complicity (Plan V, 2025; Primicias, 2025).
Financial transparency and control of asset laundering:
Improve the traceability of large capital movements, create public registers of beneficial owners of companies, and strengthen the Financial and Economic Analysis Unit (UAFE) to detect suspicious operations (Infobae, 2025; Plan V, 2025).
Development of technological capabilities and use of artificial intelligence:
Invest in technological tools for data analysis, detection of laundering patterns, and surveillance of maritime and air routes, as well as the use of artificial intelligence for sectorial audits (Infobae, 2025).
Attention to social prevention and local development: Implement programs for social and economic development in vulnerable areas to reduce the recruitment of young people by criminal gangs and strengthen social cohesion against the influence of drug trafficking (Plan V, 2025; Primicias, 2025).
Reinforce the protection of critical infrastructures: Increase security and controls at ports, airports, and border crossings, with specialized equipment and international cooperation, to prevent the contamination of containers and the departure of illegal shipments (Infobae, 2025; Swissinfo, 2025).
Promote transparency and accountability: Encourage the publication of data on seizures, operations, and convictions, as well as the independent evaluation of public policies, to maintain social and political pressure on criminal networks and their allies (Plan V, 2025).
Conclusion The Albanian mafia has established a criminal model in Ecuador based on discretion, flexibility, and institutional infiltration, using legitimate businesses as a front for drug trafficking and money laundering. Corruption and the complicity of public officials have been crucial for its expansion and resilience. Its success largely depends on its ability to forge alliances with local and transnational criminal organizations, such as Los Choneros, Los Lobos, Tiguerones, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the 'Ndrangheta, the Cartel of the Suns, and other European and Latin American clans. International cooperation, with a prominent role for the United States and the European Union, is vital to face this threat, but requires institutional strengthening, deep reforms, and a comprehensive strategy that combines intelligence, financial control, social prevention, and transparency. Only through a coordinated and multidimensional effort will it be possible to reduce the impact of the Albanian mafia in Ecuador and the region, and regain the sovereignty and security of the state (Infobae, 2025; BBC Mundo, 2022; Primicias, 2025; El País, 2022).
References
BBC Mundo. (2022, November 15). How the Albanian mafia operates in Latin America and the extent of its influence.
Infobae. (2025, June 21). How the Albanian mafia operates to traffic cocaine from Ecuador to Europe.
DNews. (2025, June 16). Albanian Mafia - Drug Families | DNews Video Specials.
Primicias. (2025, June 17). Balkan mafias establish godfather relationships with drug traffickers in Ecuador and contribute to the “epidemic of violence” in the country.
El País. (2022, November 4). Mexican cartels are vying for control of drug trafficking in Ecuador.
El País. (2025, January 15). Albanian mafias infiltrate the port of Vigo.
La Jornada. (2022, September 21). Investigating the Albanian mafia that launders money in casinos for Mexican cartels.
El Universal. (2022, September 15). Sinaloa Cartel allies with Albanian mafia.
Código Vidrio. (2025, March 6). How Albanian and Italian mafias landed in Ecuador.
Swissinfo. (2024, November 12). Ecuador's prosecutor accuses Albanian mafia boss of sending tons of cocaine to Europe.
Swissinfo. (2025, May 19). Maduro links the Albanian mafia in Ecuador to a plan to "sabotage" regional elections.
Plan V. (2019, December 15). This is how the Albanian mafia operates in Ecuador.
Plan V. (2023, February 23). 15 unknown aspects of the operations of the Albanian mafia in Ecuador.
Plan V. (2025, June 3). Code Gjika: the blow to the Albanian mafia is a political test for Ecuador.
Albanian Daily News. (2021, September 20). Albanian Gangs among Most Notorious in Drugs Distribution Routes Revealed.
Washington Examiner. (2024, January 15). Ecuador's drug war has a lot to do with Albania.
El Mundo. (2020, February 27). The UN confirms that drug traffickers have infiltrated the Venezuelan army.
Viory Video. (2025). Venezuelan President Maduro denounces links of ‘Albanian mafia’.
ONU. (2020). Report of the Independent International Mission of Determination of Facts on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
YouTube. (2024, February 7). Ecuador and Spain deal a blow to the Albanian mafia with joint operation.
About the Author: William L. Acosta is a graduate of PWU and Alliance University. He is a retired New York police officer, as well as founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc., an agency licensed in New York and Florida with international reach. Since 1999, he has led investigations into narcotics, homicides, and missing persons, in addition to participating in criminal defense at both the state and federal level. A specialist in international and multijurisdictional cases, he has coordinated operations in North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Comments