Investigations into the murder of 35-year-old Albanian Ferdinant Hoti, who was found dead on September 8 in the Tergola River, in San Giorgio delle Pertiche, Italy, have revealed a new possible lead: that of involvement in a drug distribution network.
According to Italian media, this hypothesis emerged during the investigations of the Mirano carabinieri into another matter related to drug trafficking.
As part of an anti-drug operation, authorities arrested Eris Makaj and his girlfriend, Noemi Karibba, who are in Padova prison by order of a judge.
Makaj had long been under the surveillance of the police, who suspected that he was involved in drug distribution.
During a first search of his apartment in Spinea, insufficient evidence was found, while investigations continued under the suspicion that he distributed doses by driving on a motorcycle and stopping near customers' vehicles.
The second check was carried out at his girlfriend's apartment, on Don Minzoni Street in Mirano, where the carabinieri, assisted by the canine unit, found around 800 grams of hashish, 200 grams of cocaine and 2 thousand euros in cash.
As part of the investigation, a possible connection between Eris Makaj and Luigji Makaj, 44, who was arrested in July for attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons in Mirano, along with Albanian Amiol Gjoka, 39, has also been identified.
Authorities are investigating whether these episodes could have any connection to the murder of Ferdinant Hoti. The victim was found dead in the Tergola River, while investigators are also analyzing other data, including the movements and contacts of people who may have been connected to him.
However, the connection between the drug arrests and Hoti's murder remains at the moment only an investigative hypothesis and there is still no official confirmation that the arrested persons are connected to the execution.
Investigations by Italian authorities continue to clarify the circumstances and motive of the murder.
