Albanian drug trafficker arrested in Durrës for extradition; Italy raids cocaine refinery

Italian authorities sentenced a 40‑year‑old Albanian, identified as O. D., to 11 years and one month in prison for drug trafficking and document fraud. He was arrested in Durrës, Albania, during a joint operation dubbed “Wanted 36” and is being held for extradition to Italy, with Interpol Tirana coordinating the process.

In a separate anti‑drug operation in the Lazio region of Italy, police uncovered a cocaine refinery inside a villa. The raid seized about 28 kg of cocaine, cash, and specialized processing equipment, and led to the arrest of five individuals, including an Albanian national, two Italians, a Dutch citizen and a Colombian. The investigation is ongoing to map the broader distribution network.