Gang members were charged with the creation of the criminal group, possession of military vehicles, homicides, kidnappings, giving penitence, destruction of state institutions, drug trafficking.
Taking advantage of the ongoing unrest in the country, Çaushi established the gang known as Çole along with some friends from his neighborhood.
They kidnapped a trader named Foto Kola on 8 May 1997, and released him after receiving a ransom of 500,000 Lek.
The gang continued their violent activities throughout the year, killing several more people, including Neritan and Edmond Dedenika on 11 May 1997, and Arben Latifi on 19 May 1997.
On 23 June 1997, they had kidnapped the Mayor of Novosela, Kanan Shakaj, tortured him, and released him after he paid 200 million Lek.
Also he was the bodyguard of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi during his visit to southern Albania in April 1997, after the Otranto tragedy.
Head Police Commissariat of Vlora, "Milton Scimitar" set in the post by the Rescue Committee in March 1997, stated to the "Corriere della Sera" that: "In the South there are five bands.
According to an Izet Haxhia's evidence, this band was launched to eliminate Zani and the Rescue Committee members, who were gathered in Vlora, but were detected by state police.
In response, Gaxhai attempted to take police armored vehicles to fight with Zani, but he didn't succeed.