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The Albanian State Police has released details from the "Fire at Sea" operation, carried out in collaboration with the Italian Guardia di Finanza (GDF) and Frontex forces in the Adriatic Sea, aimed at preventing an attempt to traffic narcotics.
The Police intervened at the moment when criminal groups were conducting a drug exchange, leading to the apprehension of 6 individuals. According to sources, the operation began when the rapid movement of a watercraft was detected, heading southwest from the Patoku Lagoon.
The rubber dinghy approached a sailing boat, where the drug exchange took place with the operators of both watercraft. At this moment, agents from the GDF and the Border Police intervened from the sea, surrounding the sailing vessel.
However, two Ukrainians who were on the sailboat, upon realizing that they were surrounded by the police, set fire to the watercraft and attempted to escape using a small rescue boat.
Their attempt was unsuccessful as they were caught in the act. Simultaneously, during the maritime intervention, the "RENEA" forces conducted an operation at a restaurant in the Patoku Lagoon, where several individuals suspected of being linked to the drug trafficking attempt were arrested.
The six individuals arrested by the police and the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) are charged with the criminal offenses of "Trafficking in Narcotic Substances," "Organized Criminal Group," "Perpetrating Criminal Offenses by Criminal Organizations," and "Unauthorized Possession of Weapons and Ammunition."
The Police apprehended the individuals Armando Mema, Nerim Çela, Besnik Brokeri, and the two Ukrainians Kyrylo Ponomarenko and Kostiantyn Biellon.
As evidence, the following items were seized:
2 firearms, pistols of the brands "Glock" and "Zastava"
200 pistol cartridges, model 54
One "Audi" vehicle
4 DVR devices for video recording
45,000 euros, 250,000 Albanian lek, 500 pounds, 50 Swiss francs, 2,000 British pounds, 25 cell phones
Approximately 23 kg of suspected narcotic substance, cannabis sativa, found near the burnt sailboat