Two members of Albanian burglary network arrested in Luxembourg

Particularly active in the Grand Est region and Belgium, six suspected members of an Albanian criminal network have been charged in connection with close to 50 burglaries targeting luxury residences and the homes of public figures. Two of them were recently arrested in Luxembourg.

A source within the gendarmerie told AFP that the suspects, believed to have stolen goods worth over €1 million, are Albanian men and women.

The arrests took place in two phases. On 20 January, two alleged members of the 'Nikla' network were apprehended in Luxembourg under European arrest warrants issued by authorities in Reims, according to a gendarmerie statement.

The statement added that on Tuesday, five more individuals were detained in the Reims area, with four formally charged on Friday.

Many victims in the Grand Est region

Apprehended on 20 January, the alleged leader of this Albanian gang – also wanted for attempted homicide in Albania – had escaped from Treviso prison in Italy in June 2022 and was the subject of an Interpol red notice.

He was identified through his genetic profile, which was linked to more than 30 burglaries committed between June 2022 and September 2024, primarily in the Grand Est and Paris regions, according to the gendarmerie.

Searches conducted during the investigation led to the seizure of stolen jewellery, high-value watches, luxury leather goods, cash, and vehicles – assets worth over €650,000.

"In total, more than 49 burglaries can be attributed to the group, resulting in losses exceeding €1 million", the gendarmerie stated.

A source close to the investigation revealed that the victims were primarily businessmen from the Reims area and professional football players.

The case was investigated by the Central Office for Fighting Mobile Organized Criminal Groups, in collaboration with the Research Section and Research Brigade of Reims, as well as the Anti-Banditry Brigade of the Criminal Investigation Department in Paris.