{"id":16698,"date":"2021-07-02T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T09:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/?p=16698"},"modified":"2021-07-02T12:00:38","modified_gmt":"2021-07-02T10:00:38","slug":"joint-conference-of-albanian-and-italian-authorities-ongoing-investigations-confiscations-and-arrests-of-public-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/joint-conference-of-albanian-and-italian-authorities-ongoing-investigations-confiscations-and-arrests-of-public-officials\/","title":{"rendered":"Albanian and Italian authorities: Ongoing investigations, confiscations and arrests of public officials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heads of the Police Departments and Prosecutions of Italy and Albania held a joint press conference, regarding the international anti-drug operation that has spread across several countries and issued a total of 38 arrest warrants to date.<\/p>\n

The head of the Albanian SPAK (Special Structure Anti-Corruption), Arben Kraja, said during his word that a joint team has been put in place to conduct work related to this operation, and investigations have been going on since a year and a half ago.<\/p>\n

Kraja also announced that investigations have proved the involvement of high public officials, prosecutors, police officers and administrators of the local government in criminal activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe comprehensive investigation conducted until now is crucial. We have identified the entire chain, from the production to the transportation of narcotics to Italy. We have proved the involvements of high public officials, prosecutors, police officers and officials and administrators of the local government in this affair that has favorited criminal activity. We have identified and confiscated wealth amounting to several million euros. In addition, we have to mention our collaboration with 4 judicial officials, who have given their valued contribution to this investigation,\u201d said Kraja.<\/p>\n

The Prosecutor of SPAK, Vladimir Mara, said during his word that 4 criminal groups have been targeted and stricken, who were involved in trafficking 6 tons of narcotic substances, namely cannabis sativa, heroin and cocaine in the direction of Italy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have confiscated 11 private properties in Vlora, Kavaja and Tirana, including land, businesses and restaurants,\u201d said the prosecutor of SPAK.<\/p>\n

The National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terror Prosecutor of Italy, Federico Cafiero de Raho thanked on his behalf, the Albanian side, for their great contribution in this successful operation, especially the head of SPAK, Arben Krahaj, who as he said has led and finalized operations of a great importance, since he was appointed at the head of the Special Prosecution Structure.<\/p>\n

To date, in Albania, arrest warrants have been issued for the prosecutor of Vlora, Maksim Sota, the Former-Chief of the Police Department of Fier, Festim Lalaj, the Chief of the Sector Against Trafficking at the General Police Directory, Ilir Balla and Saimir Kurti, Chief of the Office of Employment at the Municipality of Kavaja.<\/p>\n

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