Feds: International cocaine trafficker busted
Oakland County law enforcement part of task force
A former Michigan resident, described by officials as leader of an international cocaine trafficking ring, is facing a federal drug charge following a task force investigation involving law enforcement from Oakland and neighboring counties, as well as federal officers.
A federal grand jury indictment, announced Wednesday by Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin, names Ylli Didani, 43, as allegedly working with unindicted co-conspirators to plan and finance cocaine distribution from several locations — including Michigan.
Didani, facing a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, was arrested March 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“This is a very significant and important prosecution of a large scale, well-organized drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine worth tens of millions of dollars, across multiple continents,” Mohsin stated in a news release. “I salute the entire law enforcement team who labored so tirelessly on this case, from prosecutors to police officers, federal agencies to local police departments. Their efforts culminated in today’s indictment and demonstrate cooperation and teamwork at its best.”
The indictment states that in 2016 and 2017, Didani received at least $550,000 in two transactions with other co-conspirators for the purpose of buying bulk cocaine. Didani and co-conspirators allegedly used private aircraft, commercial containerships and other means of transportation for the enterprise.
The alleged drug trafficking ring has ties with Mexico, South American and Europe, as well as the United States, according to the indictment.
It’s further alleged that in 2017 an underwater drone was being designed to transport large quantities of cocaine to Europe, attached to the bottom of a commercial containership, which would be remotely released off-shore and then picked up by a fishing boat controlled by Didani’s organization.
‘Inter-agency cooperation’
The criminal complaint also alleges that more than 3,400 kilograms of cocaine shipped from South America to Europe and seized by law enforcement were from Didani’s organization. Officials put the street value of the seized drugs at more than $100 million.
“This indictment of a major cocaine trafficker is the result of a joint investigation with law enforcement partners from around the globe,” stated Keith Martin, special agent-in-charge. “Our combined efforts should send a clear message to drug traffickers everywhere that you will be
held accountable for your crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group 6 consisting of DEA special agents, task force officers from Farmington Hills, Troy, Novi, Sterling Heights, Dearborn Heights and Northfield Township police departments, IRS-CI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“This is an excellent example of the inter-agency
cooperation and capabilities of our investigative task force,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King stated in the news release. “The Farmington Hills Police Department is extremely proud of our investigator and his tireless commitment toward disrupting and indicting a large scaleinternational drug trafficking organization.”
Added Christopher Perry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s director of field operations: “The complexity
of this case, which involved so many law enforcement partners throughout the region is a testament to the importance of cooperation among agencies. I’m proud of efforts of our CBP personnel, along with our federal, state, and local partners who played an important role in reaching this indictment.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Bilkovic, Timothy McDonald and Michael El-Zein.