One Speed Boat with two Albanians on board detained in Greece; no narcotics in it: Albanian Police denies Greek media news

Greek police pointing the guns on the Albanians while onboard

 A big anti-drug operation has been conducted in Greek waters after two speedboats allegedly departed from Albania attempted to enter the Turkish waters.

The two speedboats were initially spotted by the Turkish coast guards who followed them, but without success. Then they were assisted by 10 Greek ships, an aircraft and a FRONTEX helicopter, which made it possible to capture one of the boats. Three people were arrested, according to Greek media, two of the detainees are Albanians and the other Italian.

Such news about the detention of two Albanians and one Italian has been also confirmed by the Albanian police, but the latter denies that drugs were found in the boat, as Greek media say. According to them, there is no data that the boats departed from Albania



"In connection with a news release in several media outlets, which have been referred to Greek media sources as suspected that two boats were launched from Albania and that the Greek Police are conducting an operation, we clarify to for the public opinion that: Based on prior communication of the Greek counterparts, the news given to the media is completely untrue. The operation takes place at the border between Turkey and Greece and not at the border between Greece and Albania and in the so-far communication and information exchange we have no indication that the speedboats have been launched from Albania. During the operation, Greek police seized one of the speedboats, in which no narcotics were found and detained two Albanian nationals and an Italian citizen aboard. State Police continues the exchange of information with Greek homologs and is in pursuit of the operation by Greek authorities," Albanian Police said in the statement about this issue.

The Greek police operation reported also that there were shootings. Meanwhile, is continuing the search for a second speedboat.

Greek media have published footage of the arrest of two Albanians as a result of anti-drug action in Greek waters. The two Albanians, whose identity is not yet known, appear handed over in front of four police officers who pointed their gun at them. Albanian police confirm the detention of two Albanians but deny that drugs has been found in their boat. While the investigation is continuing.