Sokol Bibaj, known by the nicknames “Gus”, “Gusti” and “Pitbull”, is one of the people wanted in the framework of SPAK’s investigations into a suspected international cocaine trafficking network from Latin America to Europe.
The Special Court has ordered the security measure of “prison arrest” against Bibaj. He is suspected of international drug trafficking, money laundering and participation in a structured criminal group.
His name appears in the same file with several other people under investigation, including Shpëtim Aliu, also known as Salvadore, Dritan Gjika, Denis Matoshi alias Eldi Dizdari, Nikoll Bibaj, Isa Aliu, Florjan Musaj, Naldi Yzeiraj, Armando Pacani and Oklid Aliu.
According to investigative materials, SPAK suspects that Sokol Bibaj had an important role in the trafficking scheme, leading a group that provided cocaine through Shpëtim Aliu. The latter was recently arrested in Russia, after being declared an international wanted person, while Albanian authorities await his extradition.
Part of the evidence on which the investigation is based is related to communications conducted on the encrypted platform Sky ECC. According to the file, these communications have helped investigators document connections between suspects, while Sokol Bibaj’s name appears in several episodes related to suspected cocaine shipments.
His brother, Nikoll Bibaj, known by the nicknames “Buci” and “Ujku”, is also mentioned in the investigations.
One of the episodes included in the investigative materials relates to a voice communication dated May 31, 2020. According to the file, Sokol Bibaj told his brother that the authorities had sent his photo to Skopje and had managed to identify him. In the conversation, he also spoke about the circumstances of a previous detention and claimed that information about him had been provided by a former officer of the anti-organized crime structures.
Investigators have identified five main suspected episodes of drug trafficking linked to the network under investigation. According to SPAK, the groups were led by individuals including Eldi Dizdari, Dritan Gjika and Armando Pacani, while Shpëtim Aliu is suspected of having a key role in the supply of narcotics.
The investigation is not only focused on cocaine trafficking, but also on the destination of the money allegedly generated from criminal activity. The Special Prosecution alleges that part of this income was brought to Albania in cash, bypassing the banking system.
The money is suspected to have been used for investments in real estate and various sectors of the economy, including trading companies, construction, hospitality and consultancy. Investigations to document the activity and role of the individuals involved are ongoing.