Allegations have surfaced against two Albanian siblings, accusing them of constructing a drug empire worth £335 million from a car wash establishment in Bournemouth. Klevis Hoxhosmani, aged 37, and his brother, Artur Hoxhosmani, aged 42, were reportedly involved in one of the largest drug-smuggling networks in Europe. Prosecutors claim that the brothers trafficked cocaine to sustain a luxurious lifestyle, which included investments in a yacht, high-end vehicles, and upscale residences, leading to their arrest in August.
Neighbours of the Hoxhosmani brothers in Dorset have labeled them as troublesome individuals. Klevis, the younger sibling, is said to be romantically involved with the daughter of a former Albanian minister, frequently showcasing their opulence on social media platforms. The alleged criminal organization utilized various concealment methods, such as hiding cocaine within shipments of cocoa beans, bananas, and timber, before moving the illicit substances across European ports and land routes via legitimate trucking companies.
To evade detection, the brothers employed the Hawala money transfer system, a traditional method of transferring funds outside formal banking channels. However, this system was reportedly compromised by Albanian authorities in 2022. Their extensive property holdings in Albania, particularly in Tirana and along the Ionian coast, as well as their business ventures in Bournemouth, are under scrutiny by Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), which has already seized assets like a yacht and luxury vehicles.
Prosecutors in Albania have linked the siblings to a transnational crime syndicate responsible for a significant cocaine seizure in France in 2020, suspected to be destined for the UK. The accused allegedly communicated through secure messaging platforms like ‘Sky ECC’ and used everyday shipments like cocoa beans and bananas as cover for drug trafficking operations. Albanian police assert that substantial amounts of narcotics were transported through various European countries with the help of unwitting truck drivers.
Following a court appearance in Tirana, Klevis and Artur remain in custody awaiting trial. Their history traces back to their arrival in the UK, with Klevis being associated with a car wash business in Bournemouth. Prosecutors suspect that the siblings leveraged corrupt connections at ports to smuggle cocaine from South American countries like Ecuador and Colombia into the UK through European routes.
Collaboration between UK’s National Crime Agency and Albanian authorities underscores a coordinated effort to combat cross-border criminal activities. Albanian prosecutors commend the joint efforts, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime.