Sixteen Members of International Organized Crime Group Charged with Kidnapping, Narcotics, Robbery and Firearms Crimes

June 9, 2010 - NEW YORK—Sixteen defendants were charged today with various counts of kidnapping in aid of a racketeering enterprise, narcotics trafficking, robbery and firearms possession, announced Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, George Venizelos, the Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the FBI, and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York.

Bruno Krasniqi, Saimir Krasniqi, Elton Sejdaris, Erkliant Sula, Skender Cakoni, aka “Neri,” Gjovalin Berisha, aka “Cuz,” Nazih Nasser, aka “Naz,” Plaurent Cela, and Gentian Nikolli, aka “Genti,” were arrested this morning at their respective homes in New York by members of the Joint Organized Crime Task Force, which includes agents of the FBI and detectives of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Shkelzen Balidemaj was arrested this morning in his home in Branford, Conn. Gentian Cara, Marjan Tamali and Joanna Pakulski, each residents of Canada, were arrested this morning by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police based on requests for their provisional arrest in connection with the Indictments. Three defendants remain at large.

As alleged in the indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Bruno Krasniqi, Saimir Krasniqi, Elton Sejdaris and others participated in a racketeering enterprise (hereinafter, the Krasniqi Organization) that was engaged in kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, extortion, robbery, and the interstate transportation of stolen goods. The Krasniqi Organization was led by brothers Bruno Krasniqi and Saimir Krasniqi, and operated in New York, Michigan, and Connecticut, among other locations. The Krasniqi Organization sought to enrich its members through various criminal schemes, including the trafficking of marijuana and used firearms and threats of violence to protect its power and territory, as well as to instill fear among rival drug dealers and victims.

In total, the Krasniqi Organization and their co-conspirators—specifically, Bruno Krasniqi, Saimir Krasniqi, Erkliant Sula, Skender Cakoni, Gjovalin Berisha, Nazih Nasser, Gentian Nikolli, Shkelzen Balidemaj, Plaurent Cela, Gentian Cara, Marjan Tamali, and Joanna Pakulski—are charged with having trafficked and distributed more than 100 kilograms of marijuana from 2003 through 2007.

In addition to narcotics trafficking, members of the Krasniqi Organization engaged in robberies and kidnappings. Specifically, on or about June 2005, after obtaining a multi-kilogram load of marijuana from one of the Krasniqi Organization’s marijuana suppliers (CC-1) and Plaurent Cela, Bruno Krasniqi, Saimir Krasniqi, Elton Sejdaris, and other members of the Krasniqi Organization used guns and threats of violence to rob CC-1 and Cela of the marijuana and the marijuana proceeds. Subsequently, Bruno Krasniqi, Saimir Krasniqi, and Elton Sejdaris, along with other co-conspirators, kidnapped another rival drug dealer at gunpoint.

In addition to these charges, other members of the narcotics conspiracy—including Plaurent Cela and Skender Cakoni—are charged with firearms offenses. Specifically, after members of the Krasniqi Organization robbed CC-1 and Cela of marijuana and the proceeds of marijuana trafficking, Cela, Cakoni, and others obtained firearms to protect their narcotics business and attempted to violently retaliate for the robbery of narcotics by members of the Krasniqi Organization.

The below table summarizes the charges and potential penalties in the indictments.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard J. Holwell. The initial conference before Judge Holwell is scheduled for June 15, 2010, at 12:00 P.M. EDT.

U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the outstanding work of the FBI and NYPD in the Joint Organized Crime Task Force in the investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing. In addition, Mr. Bharara expressed his gratitude to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their cooperation in the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Bharara said: “Led by brothers Bruno and Saimir Krasniqi, this international organized crime group allegedly engaged in kidnapping, robbery, narcotics trafficking and acts violence to fund and protect its operations. This investigation, which has spanned multiple states and two neighboring countries, demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Southern District of New York and the Joint Organized Crime Task Force to pursue the ever-present threat posed by international organized crime operating within our borders and on our streets.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos said: “The alleged charges from today’s arrests include robbery, firearms possession, narcotics trafficking, and kidnapping. These indictments highlight problems that not only impact the citizens of New York City. The crimes committed have a major effect on criminal organizations and public safety worldwide. As witnessed today, cooperation between dedicated groups of law enforcement partners is, and will continue to be, a critical factor for successfully defending threats that endanger our societies and citizens, both at home and abroad.”

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: “The nexus between violence and marijuana trafficking was never clearer than in this case, where rivals reverted to kidnapping and intimidation to control the market.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Weitzman is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.