The identity of the 45-year-old Albanian man, who was arrested with a large amount of cocaine hidden in his car, has been revealed. Guns, ammunition, a bulletproof vest and 88,900 euros in cash were found in his apartment.
The Albanian violinist arrested in France with 38.3 kilograms of cocaine is Beng Bakalli, Shekulli exclusively learns.
Bakalli, 45, was stopped by French authorities in La Turbie while travelling in a Citroën C5 Aircross vehicle heading towards Italy. The cocaine was hidden in two modified compartments in the floor of the car.
According to data made public about the case, the drugs had an estimated value of around 1.14 million euros on the retail market.
Bakalli, who is a professional violinist and part of the Victor-Hugo Bourgogne Franche-Comté Symphony Orchestra, admitted in court that he had taken on the responsibility of transporting the drugs for a payment of 20,000 euros. He stated that he had been introduced to this story through some acquaintances made during a trip to Albania and denied that he had been threatened or forced.
But the investigation took on even greater proportions after the search of his apartment.
French authorities found four firearms, two rifles, a bulletproof vest, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and 88,900 euros in cash. The money was divided into 50-euro notes and wrapped in plastic.
Regarding the weapons, Bakalli stated that he was a sports shooter, while regarding the money, he claimed that he had received it as a gift from his father. However, according to investigators, some of the weapons were not declared.
The French prosecution has requested that the court not be influenced by his profile as a musician and professional career, focusing on the significant amount of cocaine and the sophisticated way it was hidden./Shekulli