SPAK comes out with notification of the arrest of several police chiefs as « structured criminal groups »

The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has registered on 23.09.2022, criminal proceedings No.169 of 2022, and is currently continuing preliminary investigations into criminal offenses; « False of Documents », « Exercising Illegal Impact on Persons Exercising Public Functions », « Abuse of Duty », « Unlawful possession and production of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition », « Narcotics trafficking », carried out in the special form of cooperation of the structured group,  » Criminal, « Cleaning of the products of the criminal offense or criminal activity » committed in the special form of cooperation that of a structured criminal group, « Structured criminal group », as well as « Committing criminal offenses by criminal organization and structured criminal group », provided by Articles 186, 245/1, 248, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 28/4, 334 of the Criminal Code.

In the course of this criminal proceeding, the special structure against corruption and organized crime, in close cooperation with Eurojust, Europol and French and Greek law enforcement agencies, has conducted investigations into several Albanian citizens involved in criminal activities in Albania and Greece.

During the intense investigations carried out by investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), under the direction of special prosecutors, it was possible to document the criminal activity of suspects as well as the identification of some perpetrators of criminal events and offenses, part of which was committed in co -operation, in the form of a structured criminal group:

During 2019-2021, it is evidenced that a structured criminal group involved in Saranda, which was involved in the cultivation and trafficking of plants and narcotics, while its creator, leader and organizer are suspected of being under investigation; KQ (alias jh, alias jq) and ea (alias ka).

The investigation shows the fact that during 2019-2021, members of this structured criminal group had certain tasks for the purpose of cultivating narcotic plants, Cannabis Sattiva in the Saranda area and its surroundings, planting it in certain areas and cultivated indoors.

In cooperation between them, members of this structured criminal group have provided the narcotic plant, while certain members, persons who would carry the transport of narcotics from Albania to Greece. What is noted is that in cases where members of this group were arrested by law enforcement agencies, other members were interested in guaranteeing economic assistance to the arrested persons as well as securing protection in litigation.

In addition to the creators, leaders and organizers suspected of being the citizens under investigation; KQ (alias JH, alias JQ) and EA (alias ka), other members of this structured criminal group that carried out trafficking of narcotics from Albania to Greece, are suspected to be:

Italian nationals LB and DC, who have been convicted in the Republic of Greece for this illegal activity, as well as under investigation BT

ED and EH State Police officers, who, using their then position as State Police employees, turns out to have assisted the leaders of the structured criminal group, with constant advice and information on the well -functioning of criminal activity regarding narcotics trafficking, as well as providing other members of the structured criminal group.

Some other Albanian citizens, unidentified so far by the investigation.

The investigation has been documenting the trafficking case in Greece on 07.03.2020, through the border crossing point, « Qafe World », of an amount of 1144.9 kg of cannabis sativa, 4,068 kg of processed cannabis (chocolate) and 0.916 kg of processed cannabis (oil), which was worth about 1.700 euros, seized two Italian nationals convicted in Greece.

In addition to the creators, leaders and organizers suspected of being the citizens under investigation the CC (alias JH, alias JQ) and EA (alias Ka), other members of this structured criminal group regarding the cultivation of narcotic plants, are suspected to have been:

Citizens under investigation Xh.N and sh.k;

EA and EH State Police employees, who, using their position at the time as State Police employees, turns out to have helped the leaders of the structured criminal group with constant advice and information to function the criminal activity regarding the cultivation of narcotics plants, as well as providing other members of the structured criminal group.

Some other unidentified Albanian citizens still so far from the investigation.

From the investigation, the fact of clearing the products of the criminal offense or criminal activity is evidenced, from income suspected of benefiting from narcotics trafficking and cultivation of narcotic plants under investigation CC (alias JH, alias JQ), EA (alias ka) and sh.k, which during the period of trafficking and drug trafficking Periods, have invested in immovable and movable property, with the sole purpose of clearing the products of the offense.

Investigations show the fact that during 2019-2021, a structured criminal group intended for the cultivation of narcotic plants, where the creator, leader and organizer of this structured criminal group suspected to be a citizen under investigation LB (alias ES), while other members of this group were suspected to have been:

The State Police Officer, who, using his or her position as State Police employee, turns out to have assisted the leaders of the structured criminal group by providing constant advice and information to function the criminal activity regarding the cultivation of narcotics plants, as well as providing other members of the structured criminal group.

Some other Albanian citizens unidentified by the investigation, who, under the direction of the creator, organizer and leader of the structured criminal group, LB (alias ES), were directly involved in the cultivation of narcotic plants.

From the investigation it was documented that on 01.10.2020, from the Judicial Police Services of the Gjirokastra Local Police Directorate, on the road between Dukaj village and Salari village, Tepelena, (at a distance of about 1000 meters from the village of Dukaj to the village of Salari), in a « Iveco » type van found and seized Plants, with stalk, branches, leaves and boats, in a total condition, with a total weight of 1280 (one thousand two hundred and eighty) kilo and comprised of 1360 (one thousand three hundred and sixty) plants 30 – 120 cm long.

From the investigative actions in the context of criminal proceedings no.169 of 2022 registered with the Special Prosecution Office, it turned out that the narcotic plants were cultivated by the structured criminal group led by LB (alias ES).

It is evidenced that on 17.09.2020 in the city of Saranda the citizen under investigation Xh.N circulated with a car in its use, holding unlawful state bodies in the vehicle a pistol of 9.5 mm caliber, as well as 17 9.5 mm caliber cartridges.

The fact that the person under investigation EA (alias) has exerted illegal influence on the police officer under investigation EA, and after the latter's councils, it was managed to have the unlawful possession of a firearm in the vehicle was taken over by another minor citizen, who was later arrested by the Judicial Police officers, while the minor was acting unjust. The weapon, a vehicle given by the citizen under investigation Xh.N a few moments ago.

Also from preliminary investigations it is evidenced that during the period 2019-2021, citizens under investigation EH, EA, ED and SH.R, police officer, with their unlawful actions committed intentionally, have consumed the offense of « Abuse of office », provided by Article 248 of the Criminal Code, committing/or disinteresting Regular non -compliance with their duties as State Police employees have caused considerable damage to the lawful interests of the state, violating the provision of regular legal activity of the State Police, as well as violating the state police credibility before the public in its mission to maintain public security and security, guarantee and law enforcement, No.108/2014 dated 31.07.2014 “On State Police” as amended, as well as in the bylaws “State Police Regulation”.

Based on the request of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime by decision no.17, dated 28.02.2025 has imposed the imposition of personal security measures “Arrest in prison” for 10 suspected citizens of committing criminal offenses, specifically for the Central Committee (Alias), alias KA Bt, sh.k, Xh.B, lb (alias es), eh, ed, sh.r and ea

On 01.03.2025 by the Police Supervision Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of the Special Prosecution, the orders for the execution of criminal decision no.17, dated 28.02.2025, of the Special Court of Organized Crime, for the citizens:

-Eh, who at the time of the commission of criminal offenses was, among other things, and police officers in the Directorate of Operations Force in the General Directorate of State, and left the State Police in 2022.

-SH, which at the time of the commission of offenses was with the task of the fight against narcotics and illegal trafficking in the Gjirokastra Local Police Directorate, and at the time of the implementation of the security measure « arrest in prison » was the duty of the Head of Crimes Investigation at the Police Commissariat.

-Ea, who at the time of the commission of the offenses was the duty of the head of the Saranda Police Investigation Section, and at the time of the implementation of the security measure « Arrest in Prison » was with the duty of chief of the Lushnje Police Police Investigation Section.

The police officer Ed, who at the time of the commission of the offenses, was declared wanted, was the duty of the head of the Qaf World Border Crossing Point, Saranda, while currently the head of the Saranda Border Police Commissariat.

Also from the General Directorate of State Police in cooperation with the investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation, possible procedural and operational actions have been carried out on the localization of other citizens to whom the Special Court of Organized Crime and Crime by Decision No. 17, dated 28.02.2025 has imposed a personal security measures and security measures, but A considerable number was outside the territory of the Republic of Albania.

During the execution of court decisions, control was exercised, where various items such as phones, weapons, etc. were found and seized in the quality of the material, and are continuing controls in apartments and other premises

We thank the General Directorate of State Police, the Police Supervision Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation for the Professionalization shown and close cooperation during the execution phase of court decisions.

Special thanks to Eurojust, Europol, French and Greek Judicial Authorities for the intense cooperation and contribution made in the framework of investigations of this criminal proceeding.