Arrest of Albanian in Peru: Flour was sold instead of cocaine, payments only in Bitcoin

Following the arrest of Albanian Maglent Dybel, who is suspected of running a cocaine trafficking network in Peru, local media have revealed new details about the functioning of the criminal organization with international reach, which was hit by anti-drug authorities.

According to reports, the group had built a sophisticated scheme that combined illegal drug trafficking with fraud against buyers and international organizations, with the aim of profiting from large sums of money.

The investigations revealed the internal structure of the organization, the roles of the members, and the methods they used to carry out criminal activity.

Authorities say the network offered large quantities of cocaine to foreign clients, using doctored videos that simulated the transport of the drug from production areas to the port of Callao. The footage served to create credibility with buyers and disguise the illegal activity as a regular operation.

The essence of the scam was to replace most of the shipment with flour, while only one package contained the real drugs. In this way, after securing advance payments, the group profited by deceiving customers. According to investigations, the organization managed to secure over $60 from these schemes.

The network was made up of Peruvian and foreign nationals. A key role was played by a person nicknamed “Pantro,” who coordinated the operations, while an Albanian national is suspected of acting as a financier. Another member operated from Colombia, demonstrating the group’s international reach.

The discovery of the organization was made possible thanks to an in-depth investigation by the Peruvian anti-drug intelligence structures (DIRANDRO), which used advanced interception and documentation techniques. The operations culminated in checks in several areas, including Callao, Comas and Los Olivos.

During the interventions, the police seized narcotics, materials for their processing, forged documents and financial records, which are expected to serve as key evidence in the criminal process.

Investigations also revealed the use of cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, for making payments, which allowed members to avoid financial tracking and maintain anonymity.

In total, five people were arrested, and the court has sentenced them to 18 months in pre-trial detention. The case continues to be investigated to determine the full criminal responsibilities of each of those involved.