Bulent Aslanoglu, a dual Swedish-German national and alleged former leader of the Södertälje gang, was arrested as part of Operation Botnia, which dismantled a significant international drug trafficking network. The operation, led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with Colombian authorities, resulted in the seizure of 100 kilos of cocaine, worth millions of pounds, and the arrest of 12 individuals across Spain and Colombia.
The investigation, which began in early 2023, uncovered a complex network of traffickers from various nationalities, including Albanian mafia members. According to Spanish authorities, Aslanoglu, who is listed as a High Value Target (HVT) by Swedish police, had been involved in organizing the smuggling of large cocaine shipments from Ecuador to Spain, coordinating with Albanian and Moroccan intermediaries.
The investigation revealed that Aslanoglu had previous criminal connections with the Atrach brothers, French nationals of Moroccan descent, who are also key figures in this drug smuggling operation. Aslanoglu’s network sought financial support from the Albanian mafia to fund the transportation of the drugs. This led to frequent trips to Dubai, a known sanctuary for international drug lords, where the Albanian mafia clan sought approval for their involvement in the operation.
The smuggling operation culminated in a dramatic raid in April 2023, when Spanish police apprehended four Albanian members in Fuenlabrada, Madrid, attempting to conceal the cocaine in vehicles. Simultaneous arrests were made in Marbella, where key members were coordinating the distribution of the drugs.
Following these initial arrests, the operation intensified, leading to Aslanoglu’s capture in Colombia on May 9, 2023, where he was coordinating the final stages of the operation. The authorities also seized $424,000 in crypto-assets linked to the network.
Out of the 12 arrested, 11 remain in custody, with one woman released on bail. The operation has significantly disrupted the logistics and trafficking capabilities of the international cartel, sending a strong message to drug trafficking organizations operating across Europe and Latin America. The police continue to search for two remaining suspects involved in the syndicate.
