The Court of Tirana has ordered the measure of pre-trial detention for three soldiers arrested for cultivating cannabis in the military compound 10-60 in Zall-Herr, near Tirana.
Namely, Gramoz Mullai, aged 52, who held the position of Chief of Security Section, Rustem Koci, aged 25, working as a Specialist for Detection, and Gentjan Zhurda, aged 45, serving as a Security Specialist, are accused of abuse of duty.
The three suspects did not admit to committing the criminal offense and they are reported to have said that the Zall Herr military compound covers 140 hectares of land, making it impossible to control entirely. The three arrested soldiers have also claimed that they informed their superiors about the breached territory and the impossibility of controlling it all.
Meanwhile, the defense claims that without expert examination, the soldiers cannot be accused of cultivating narcotics.
Euronews Albania has learned that within the Zall Herr military compound, where more than 300 soldiers serve, the narcotic plants were distributed in six parcels in the wooded area.
What surprised the police the most was the fact that the plants were up to 2.7 meters tall, indicating that they had been cultivated for at least 3 months.
125 cultivated cannabis plants were discovered and destroyed during a nationwide mega anti-cannabis police operation codenamed “Focus” on August 5, 2023. The operation involved the active participation of local police directorates in all regions, the Border Police, and the National Guard.
The Police made arrests in flagrante delicto for abuse of duty. Besides the arrested, four other individuals serving in the military compound also face penalties.
According to the police, these individuals, by abusing their authority and neglecting their duties, allowed the cultivation of narcotic plants within the premises of the military unit.
The Ministry of Defense promptly responded to the detention of the military personnel by suspending all responsible individuals from their duties.
“We strongly condemn any illegal activities. We encourage law enforcement agencies to perform their duties diligently in every case,” stated Defense Minister Niko Peleshi on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Taulant Balla stated that the fight against cultivation, trafficking, and distribution of narcotics will be systematic.
Through a Facebook update, Balla praised the State Police, which has engaged more than 6,000 police forces and 75 high-quality drones in anti-cannabis operations.
“The fight against cultivation, trafficking, and distribution of narcotics will be systematic. Albanians expect a cleansing of our territory from illegal cultivation of narcotic plants.”
Balla expressed determination that the crackdown on crime will continue, and the results are evident, with 12 people arrested so far, including state employees, and 10 others undergoing criminal procedures.
Last week’s operations have seen the deployment of 6,000 police officers and 75 high-quality drones for territory control and the destruction of narcotic plants. The results have been significant, with approximately 17,000 cannabis sativa plants and 100 cubic meters of cultivated cannabis seeds eradicated. Furthermore, law enforcement has successfully seized substantial amounts of money in various currencies, a hunting rifle, and other illicit items.
“Illegal cannabis cultivation has been a source of financing for criminal organizations. This source must be completely eradicated. More powerful strikes are coming,” warned Minister Balla.
