The head of an organization active in the sale of narcotics was sentenced on Wednesday by the criminal court of Liège to 12 years in prison. The confiscation of 1.5 million euros has also been ordered against him. About 30 people, mostly of Albanian nationality, were involved in this network of cocaine sales and cannabis cultivation.
The investigation carried out in the encrypted messaging service “SKY ECC ” revealed the existence of a criminal organization run by Albania and active in drug trafficking.
The dealers, based in Liège and Charleroi, regularly ordered cocaine from a supplier based in the Antwerp region. Several blocks of cocaine were delivered to them, with prices of around 32,000 euros per kilogram.
The leader gave his instructions from Albania, resold the ordered goods to local merchants and sent his men to take care of the shipment. Some of the cocaine blocks were even buried in the forest to avoid suspicion. Some of the defendants had diversified their activities by developing cannabis crops in Ombret, Jemeppe-sur-Meuse, Houffalize and Verviers.
The head of the organization was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 1.5 million euros were confiscated. His lieutenants were sentenced to between 5 and 9 years in prison. Members of the group were sentenced to terms ranging from 18 months to 3 years in prison. There were also two acquittals, as well as a work sentence and a suspended sentence for consumers who had given modest help to the organization in exchange for their personal consumption.
