The alleged leader of a drug smuggling network was arrested in Albania after authorities in Germany uncovered heroin hidden in a shipment of soap originating from Iran, Europol announced.
The suspect is a 57-year-old Turkish national who was arrested in Albania this month following an investigation carried out by Germany, the Netherlands, and Europol, according to the pan-European law enforcement agency.
“The suspect, one of Europol’s most wanted targets, is believed to be the head of a criminal network responsible for large-scale heroin trafficking into Western Europe,” Europol said, according to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
The investigation linked the suspect to the seizure of 703 kilograms of heroin at the Port of Hamburg in Germany in August 2022.
“The heroin was hidden inside a container that contained soap originating from Iran,” Europol added.
Europol did not name the individual who was arrested.
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