This extradition highlights the focus of international law enforcement and demonstrates that an international border line will not deter our commitment to protect our nation from drug trafficking organizations.” Arif Kurti is alleged to have directed the importation and distribution of tons of cocaine, MDMA, diverted prescription medications, and marijuana in every hemisphere.

The investigation further revealed that while Kurti was in Albania, he allegedly continued to direct syndicate operations by communicating instructions to his underlings.ĭuring the course of the investigation, federal agents seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana, approximately $2 million in suspected drug proceeds, 22 handguns, a military/police-issue assault rifle, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.ĭEA Special Agent in Charge Crowell stated, “This was a global drug trafficking network in every sense of the term, operating on three continents.

The syndicate was allegedly involved in negotiations to obtain hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from sources in South America for transport through the United States to Canada and Europe, (1) a shipment of 100 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to New York, which the defendants planned to break down into smaller shipments and smuggle into Canada in exchange for high-grade hydroponic marijuana (2) a 100 kilogram shipment of cocaine from South America to Albania (3) regular shipments of cocaine from Florida to New York (4) ongoing efforts to establish a pipeline to supply 40 kilograms of cocaine per month for distribution in Spain. Under Kurti’s direction, the syndicate also allegedly obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine from sources in the United States for export to Albania and other locations in Europe, concealed in hidden compartments inside luxury automobiles - ostensibly under the auspices of legitimate car dealerships which were actually controlled by syndicate members. The government’s four-year investigation revealed that Kurti allegedly coordinated and controlled major aspects of the syndicate’s international narcotics trafficking activities, including smuggling marijuana from Canada and Mexico concealed in tractor trailers, typically in hundred pound quantities, with some loads containing as much as 1,200 pounds of marijuana.

Forty nine defendants have been arrested in the case to date. The drugs were distributed in various locations in the United States, including New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida, as well as in Canada and Europe. In operation for more than a decade, the syndicate is allegedly responsible for organizing the importation and distribution of tens of thousands of kilograms of hydroponic marijuana from Canada and Mexico, substantial quantities of MDMA from the Netherlands and Canada, hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru, and large quantities of diverted prescription pills, such as oxycodone. Immigration and Customs (ICE), Homeland Security (HSI), New York.Īccording to the indictment and other court filings submitted by the government, the syndicate comprises several inter-related ethnic Albanian family (also known as “fis”), with hundreds of associated members, workers, and customers. Hayes, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James T. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Loretta E. The extradition and charges were announced by Brian R. Kurti was arrested in Albania on a provisional warrant issued from the Eastern District of New York. Pollak at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on drug and money-laundering charges contained in a superseding indictment returned on July 7, 2011. BROOKLYN, NY - The alleged leader of an ethnic-Albanian organized crime syndicate, Arif Kurti, also known as “the Bear,” “Arty,” and “Nino,” was extradited from Albania to the United States on Friday, November 16, 2012, and will be arraigned later today before U.S.

Inside ribbon cyndicate