Record quantity of 613 kg of cocaine seized, 2 arrested
A huge amount of cocaine was seized by the police in Durrës Harbor, early this morning. The record quantity of cocaine, 613 kg, has a value of 180 million Euros, State Police declared.
Preliminary details made public by the police, indicate that drug container arrived on 19 February in Durrës Harbor, from the Italian Harbor of Bari.
It is learned that Colombia is the country of origin of the largest amount of cocaine ever seized in Albania, after is being transited to Italy and Malta.
During all these days, the container loaded with bananas and cocaine was kept under surveillance of the Albanian authorities, and the “Last Snow” operation was finalized 27th February.
Police arrested Donald Lushaj, 25, from Tirana and Armando Pezaku, 25, from Durrës.
Albanian Police’s full announcement:
State Police, in cooperation with the Serious Crimes Prosecution Office and the Customs Investigation Directorate, based on the previously provided information and risk analysis, after a well organized and coordinated job, managed to successfully finalize the “Last Snow” operation.
As a result of this operation, police seized the record quantity of 613 kilograms and 350 grams of cocaine narcotic drug, worth over 180 million Euros.
It is learned from the investigations that the drug’s origin country is Colombia, transited through Italy and Malta, arriving in Durrës Harbor on February 19th 2018.
The cocaine was hidden in a doubled floor container ship loaded with bananas.
The operation kicked off on February 27th, 2018, at Durrës Harbor, when the lawful cargo was taken over by the “Arbri Garden” company.
The amount of narcotic was packed in 528 bags, wrapped in sodium paper with codes set by traffickers.
The container arriving at the Durrës Harbor was held under constant surveillance from the State Police structures.
The citizens involved in this criminal activity were arrested in flagrance:
- Donaldo Lushaj, 25, born in Tropoja, residing in Tirana;
- Armando Pezaku, 25, born and residing in Durrës.
Arbër Çekaj, the company’s owner, where the narcotic was seized is declared wanted.
Albanian authorities are carrying on the investigations in cooperation with foreign partners to detect all ties and persons involved in this criminal activity.
Meanwhile, there is an ongoing work on identifying the assets of the arrested and the involved persons in this narcotics smuggling.
State Police is determined to strike through the “Power of Law” any illicit and criminal activity to build a more peaceful and safer Albania./tvklan.al