The Italian anti-mafia in Brescia has concluded preliminary investigations into a suspected transnational drug trafficking organization.
The investigation, coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Roberta Panico, uncovered a dense drug trafficking network, spanning Albania and several Italian provinces, including Lecce, where the group could have relied on logistical bases and trusted figures to distribute the cocaine, Italian media report.
At the heart of the Salento connection are the names of Altin Shehaj, a 44-year-old Albanian living in Alliste, and Fabio Perdicchia, a 56-year-old from Melissano. According to the prosecution, the former held a senior role in managing the “Lecce base”, overseeing the purchase of large quantities of drugs supplied by the gang and their subsequent distribution throughout the area.
The charges against Perdicchia, an employee of a transport company, relate to his alleged role as a specialist courier. He is accused of carrying out several shipments of large sums of money, including 600,000 euros, linked to previous drug purchases stored in Racale between 2019 and 2020.
Vincenzo Bruno, originally from Brindisi, is listed in several indictments as the final recipient of cocaine shipments totaling 137 kilograms that arrived in the capital of Salento between November 2020 and January 2021. However, the document from the Brescia Prosecutor’s Office clarifies that his position is currently the subject of a separate procedure.
He, like the other suspects, was given an immediate trial order, after which the defense, represented by Cosimo Lodeserto, decided not to proceed with alternative procedures. For these charges, Bruno will be tried according to the ordinary judicial procedure, which will begin on September 17 before the judges of the Second Criminal Section of the Court of Brescia.
The investigation revealed a complex system that used encrypted communication channels and logistics centers to store the goods. With the announcement of the end of the investigation, the suspects will have twenty days to submit documents or request interrogation. The two Salento natives are represented by lawyers Stefano Stefanelli (for Shehaj) and Biagio Palamà (for Perdicchia).
Just a few weeks ago, Shehaj managed to regain his freedom, as reported in this article, from the Court of Review. He is currently undergoing a second appeal hearing after the Supreme Court overturned the 18-year prison sentence he received in the Battleanije case, in which he was involved. The prosecutor’s final statement is expected on May 29.
The full list of those who received the notification:
Saimir Baroti, 52 years old, from Durrës, Albania, resident in San Paolo d’Argon (Bergamo); Ervis Belshaku, 40 years old, from Fiershegan-Lushnjë, Albania, resident in Valmadrera (Lecco); Marisa Brucaj, 30 years old, from Triggiano (Bari), resident in Marcheno (Brescia); Donald Cala, 40 years old, from Elbasan, Albania, resident in Bergamo; Eno Cala, 36 years old, from Elbasan, Albania, resident in Romano di Lombardia (Bergamo); Rei Caushaj, 60 years old, from Albania, resident in Cusano Milanino (Milan); Mahmut Cela, 64 years old, from Albania, resident in Sarezzo (Brescia); Uljan Cela, 36 years old, from Albania, resident in Sarezzo (Brescia); Eduart Deda, 32 years old, from Simon – Mirdite (Albania), resident in Busto Arsizio (Varese); Ardian Deliu, 40 years old, from Tirana (Albania), resident in Castello di Brianza (Lecco); Blerim Dervishi, 43 years old, from Durazzo (Albania), resident in Palazzolo sull’Oglio (Brescia); Elis Ferra, 32 years old, from Durazzo (Albania), resident in Reggio Emilia; Arber Gjidodaj, 39 years old, from Fushe Arrëz (Albania), resident in Castel Mella (Brescia); Migert Harizi, 35 years old, from Tirana (Albania), resident in Saludecio (Rimini); Adriatik Hasa, 48 years old, from Librazhdi (Albania), of no fixed residence in Italy; Bardhyl Hoxha, 38 years old, from Lushnje (Albania), resident in Capriolo (Brescia); Artur Hoxhosmani, 43 years old, from Burrel Mat (Albania), of no fixed residence in Italy; Gazmend Hyka, 50 years old, from Durrës (Albania), residing in Dalmine (Bergamo); Muharrem Hyka, 43 years old, from Durrës (Albania), residing in Badesi (Sassari); Hazir Hyseni, 33 years old, from Durrës (Albania), residing in Fratta Polesine (Rovigo); Artan Kalaja, 38 years old, from Tirana (Albania), residing in Caselle Torinese (Turin); Dorian Konti, 42 years old, from Durrës (Albania), residing in Padova; Fatjona Kordha, 40 years old, from Pogradec (Albania); Adem Kuqi, 30 years old, from Albania, residing in Erbusco (Brescia); Klajdi Lala, 29 years old, from Durrës, Albania, residing in Albiano d’Ivrea (Turin); Denis Likmeta, 33 years old, from Durrës, Albania; Denis Myftiu, 46 years old, from Durrës, Albania, without fixed abode in Italy; Fabio Perdicchia, 58 years old, from Melissano; Mentor Qato, 40 years old, from Poliçani – Skrapar, Albania, residing in Sarnico (Bergamo); Erald Salla, 31 years old, from Elbasan, Albania; Juljan Shaba, 36 years old, from Durrës, Albania, residing in Paratico (Brescia); Altin Shehaj, 46 years old, from Kavaje – Durrës, Albania, residing in Alliste; Gazmend Shehu, 58 years old, from Durrës, Albania, residing in Stezzano (Bergamo); Mario Skilja, 37 years old, from Durrës (Albania); Saimir Tusha, 42 years old, from Shijaku – Durrës (Albania), residing in Vigonza (Padova); Ilir Veliaj, 46 years old, from Durrës (Albania), residing in Dalmine (Bergamo); Kejdi Xhelili, 28 years old, from Elbasan (Albania), resident of Cavernago (Bergamo).