Albanian organised crime syndicates, known as the Mafia Shqiptare, are consolidating power within the UK's criminal underworld and on track to take over the country's £5bn cocaine market, according to the National Crime Agency. The gangs have disrupted the traditional drug trade by negotiating directly with Colombian cartels, slashing prices and boosting purity.
Intelligence obtained by British experts reveals that Albanian gangs procure cocaine from South American cartels for around £4,000 to £5,500 per kilo, while rivals previously paid Dutch wholesalers up to £22,500 per kilo. This has allowed Albanians to offer cheaper, higher-quality cocaine, forcing competitors to buy from them or struggle with inferior products.
Tony Saggers, former head of drugs threat and intelligence at the NCA, said: 'They have shown that you don't have to be greedy to dominate drug markets. They've gone down the route of sustainable prices, good quality.' The strategy has led to record low prices and high purity levels in the UK, contributing to a rise in cocaine-related fatalities and the highest number of young users in Europe.
Street-level enforcement is carried out by crews like Hellbanianz, based on east London's Gascoigne estate. The gang uses social media to flaunt wealth and recruit young dealers, but police sources say they occupy the lowest rung of the Albanian mafia hierarchy. Despite this, their presence is felt locally; an Observer reporter was escorted off the estate and told not to return.
The rise of Albanian gangs has reshaped the UK's cocaine economy, with far larger shipments entering the country as global production hits record levels—up 31% since 2016. Rival gangs, unable to match the Albanians' pricing and purity, have been forced to source cocaine from the Mafia Shqiptare, further entrenching their dominance.
