Habilaj family cannabis trafficking (Albania to Italy)
Status: Convicted in Italy. Reported arrest in Albania. Some family members reportedly still sought. Asset status reported as partly lifted.
Summary
Italian prosecutors in Catania ran a long investigation into a group run by the Habilaj family that moved cannabis from Albania to Italy. Reports describe a turnover of about EUR 20m. Moisi Habilaj was sentenced by the Catania Appeal Court to 15 years and 5 months. He was later found in Borsh (Albania) after more than five years on the run.
The Habilaj case is often linked to Saimir Tahiri because Tahiri is reported as a cousin of the family. The reports do not show that Tahiri was part of the Italian case. Some reports also say SPAK later lifted the seizure of most of the family's assets. The date of that decision was not found.
Key facts
- Moisi Habilaj: Catania Appeal Court sentence 15 years 5 months (reported).
- Prosecutors' figure: about EUR 20m in drug turnover (reported).
- Main product: cannabis (per Albanian reports).
- Arrest at beach bar in Borsh after more than 5 years on the run (reported).
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 (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Italian court conviction of Moisi Habilaj (as reported by Albanian outlets; confirm with the Catania court record).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationConnection between the Habilaj family and the Tahiri ministry (only family ties are reported).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationThe family used Albanian and Italian networks to move cannabis and launder proceeds (Italian prosecution as reported).
Open questions (3)
- Was the 2024-2025 extradition or return of Moisi Habilaj carried out?
- What was the status of the asset-seizure lift, and why?
- Did any Albanian officials help the Habilajs (the Italian file)?
Responses (0)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
Nothing recorded in this list.
Figures
Money trail →Habilaj group turnover (Catania investigation)
€20,000,000
otherSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: Reported turnover from Italian prosecution; not an audited figure. Year not confirmed.
Date: unknown · Payer: unknown · Payee: Habilaj group
- 39 Habilaj: Prokuroria e Katanias: trafikuan 20 milione euro droge (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · unknown · journalism · SQ
Timeline
Full timeline →Media
FTM 'The EU Files' on Albanian groups and state links
FTM reports Albanian groups operating in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain; claims of state infiltration (attributed); Operation Tornado (Brescia, Sept 2024; about EUR 375m alleged laundering network); Spain's 13-tonne Algeciras seizure (Nov 2024). Government denied the allegations.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 5 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Gazeta Tema
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- unknown
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 1 source
- Publisher
- Follow the Money / BLAST
- Date
- 6 Nov 2025