Albanian criminal groups are taking on an increasingly important role in organised crime networks in Italy, switching from the narcotics supply towards direct co-operation with the country’s most powerful mafia organisations.
This development is reflected in Italy’s new Parliamentary Commission report, adopted on November 3rd 2026, which analyses the extent of the Ndrangheta in the north of the country and new ways of functioning criminal organisations, The Signal newspaper reports.
The document, registered in the Italian Parliament with the number Doc. X coordinate XIII, n. 28, addresses changes in the structure and activity of the mafia, including co-operation with international criminal networks.
According to Italian and Albanian media reports on the document, Albanian criminal groups are no longer limited to the security and distribution of drugs, but also participate in joint agreements and operations with organisations such as Ndrangheta, Cosa Nostra and Camorra.
The investigation eydra ‘%s’ reveals co-operation among mafia organizations
One of the cases discussed is the investigation known as the Hiddraʹ, conducted in the Lombardy region.
According to reports on the investigation, Italian authorities have identified a co-operation structure between representatives of traditional mafia organisations and Albanian criminal groups.
The investigated activities include narcotics trafficking, tax fraud and money laundering.
Italian prosecutor Alessandra Cerretti, according to media dealing with the report, has described the presence of Albanian groups as stable, specialised and not always visible.
This approach shows that criminal co-operation does not necessarily rely on a single hierarchical structure, but can function through mutual economic agreements and interests.
Mafia penetrates legitimate businesses, companies turn into part of criminal schemes
The Italian Antimafia report also pays attention to changing the way Norrangheta exerts influence on the legal economy.
According to the analysis reported by the Italian media, mafia organisations do not rely solely on threats, violence and territorial control. They are increasingly exploiting relations with entrepreneurs, companies and financial mediators.
In some cases, businesses are not merely subjected to criminal pressure but are seeking illegal services for economic gain.
These services may include extinguishing fats, obtaining liquidity and mechanisms for hiding or circulation money of criminal origin.
However, Italian authorities warn that orientation to the economy does not imply abandoning violence by mafia organisations.
More than 170 arrests and seven tonnes of drugs seized by international co-operation
The size of cross-border criminal co-operation is reflected in the results of the Albanian and Italian authorities’ joint operations.
According to data published by the Eurojust, co-operation between the SPAK and Italian authorities during the period 20182026 has contributed to more than 170 arrests and the seizure of over seven tonnes of narcotics.
The new parliamentary report puts this phenomenon in a broader context, where Italian authorities’ concern is not only related to drug trafficking, but also to the strengthening of criminal alliances and the penetration of mafia organisations in the legitimate economy sectors.
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Source Layer: Signal