Tirana exchange offices and the Copja brothers (alleged cocaine and crypto laundering)
Status: Under investigation.
Conflicting records. The research disagrees; every version is shown and none has been chosen as correct.
- Status
- Under investigation.From the research record · cites:
- Albania's currency exchanges tied to drug money laundering (opens in a new tab)Tirana Times · 16 Oct 2025 · journalism · EN
- Under investigation / charged (allegations; no court judgment found in this pass)From the research record · cites:
- Albania's currency exchanges tied to drug money laundering (opens in a new tab)Tirana Times · 16 Oct 2025 · journalism · EN
- Under investigation.From the research record · cites:
Summary
Reused id from; see that file for full detail. Prosecutors and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) describe exchange offices as channels for organised-crime cash (Oct 2025). Listed here to link the exchange-office channel to the wider laundering picture.
Other accounts in the research (2 fields worded differently)
This record appears in more than one research record. The main text above comes from one; the other versions are kept here unedited.
- Title
- Tirana exchange offices and the Copja brothers (alleged cocaine and crypto laundering)From the research record
- Tirana exchange offices and the Copja brothers: alleged cocaine and crypto laundering through a licensed exchange officeFrom the research record
- Summary
- Reused id from; see that file for full detail. Prosecutors and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) describe exchange offices as channels for organised-crime cash (Oct 2025). Listed here to link the exchange-office channel to the wider laundering picture.From the research record
- Prosecutors (as reported by Tirana Times, 16 Oct 2025) say certain licensed exchange offices in central Tirana acted as informal banks for organised crime. They say one licensed office, named in the article as 'B. Lika, Cimi & Keni', allegedly moved millions for the Copja brothers, who are charged with cocaine trafficking and contract killings. The article says cash was deposited, split into smaller sums or wired abroad (UAE, Central and South America) to finance cocaine shipments. It also says SPAK seized more than USD 11 million in crypto in the case. A separate probe linked to Ervis Ferizaj reportedly found two Tirana exchange shops masking transfers between Switzerland and Albania, using hawala and crypto at 6-15% commission. The article reports that the Bank of Albania has revoked 132 licences from 2021 to 2024 and is drafting stricter shareholder and source-of-capital checks for exchange offices.From the research record
Key facts
- Exchange offices described by prosecutors and FIA as channels for organised-crime cash (Tirana Times, Oct 2025).
- Crypto seized in the case (reported, see.
- Activity alleged 2018 to 2022 (Copja case, per article).
- Prosecutor's probe lasted about two years (Klodian Braho).
- More than USD 11 million in crypto seized (per article).
- Exchange offices in Albania rose from 356 (2014) to 640 (about 2024), per article.
- BoA revoked 132 licences 2021-2024 (article does not say all were exchange licences).
- FIA referred one exchange-related case to prosecutors in 2024 (article).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Exchange offices in Albania grew in number over the decade, per the cited data.
- The Bank of Albania is drafting tighter rules for exchange offices (announced in the article).
What is alleged (3)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationLaundering through exchange offices (under investigation).
- AllegationThat specific licensed offices were used by the Copja network.
- AllegationThat the same channel is used to convert illicit cash into lek or euro in volume.
Allegations and who made them (3)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationCocaine and crypto laundering through a licensed exchange office (reported).
- AllegationProsecutors allege a licensed exchange office moved millions for the Copja brothers (SPAK-led investigation as reported).
- AllegationProsecutors allege cash from cocaine trade was split, deposited and wired abroad through exchange offices.
Open questions (4)
- Amounts and court status (seegaps).
- Court outcomes and the amounts finally confirmed.
- Whether the seized crypto and cash were ever linked to the euro or lek market.
- The licence holder's response (not found in this pass).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Not found in this pass for the licensed office. The article does not give a defence statement.
Figures
Money trail →Crypto seized in the Copja case (exchange-office laundering probe)
No amount recorded
seizureSource label: Under investigationStated definition: More than USD 11 million, per Tirana Times. Not in euro in source.
Date: Oct 2025 · Payer: alleged launderers · Payee: State
- Albania's currency exchanges tied to drug money laundering (opens in a new tab)Tirana Times · 16 Oct 2025 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
Prosecutors and FIA describe exchange offices as channels for organised-crime cash
Tirana Times reports prosecutors' claims about licensed exchange offices in central Tirana (see case-copja-exchange-office-tirana). Exchange offices grew from 356 (2014) to 640 (about 2024). BoA drafting tighter rules; FIA flagged exchange businesses as high-risk.
Connections
Exchange-office laundering allegations reported by Tirana Times
Evidence: Prosecutors' allegations as reported; no judgment.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 1 source.
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 1 source
- Publisher
- Tirana Times
- Date
- 16 Oct 2025