In a determined effort to combat human trafficking, Albanian authorities have struck a blow against an organized criminal group involved in trafficking individuals abroad. In this successful operation, the State Police have identified and arrested 26 individuals, including businessmen and police officers, who are accused of involvement in this illicit activity.
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| The speech of the Director General of the State Police, Major Muhamet Rrumbullaku, on the finalization of an operation to attack an international human trafficking network, April 12, 2024, source |
Muhamet Rrumbullaku, the General Director of the Police, stated that during 2023, there has been an increase in the number of individuals with residence and work permits caught attempting to leave for other countries in the European Union, both in the northern regions of the country and at the southern border with Greece.
According to Albanian police, at least five commercial entities have been identified which provided fictitious employment contracts for these individuals, primarily from Bangladesh. Subsequently, this group continued the process by applying for visas, up to the point of awaiting these individuals at Rinas Airport, against a payment of 5,000 euros per person.
Following a request from the Special Prosecution Office, the Court has decided to impose personal security measures on the 26 individuals involved in this group. Meanwhile, the police have arrested 19 of them, three have been placed under house arrest, two have been compelled to appear before the authorities, and two others have been declared fugitives.
Eleven businessmen and four police officers are among those implicated in this illegal activity.
Albanian police have announced that during the raids, 400,000 euros, 700,000 US dollars, 4,000 pounds, 520,000 lek, 13 vehicles, 50 phones, three pistols, 50 bullets, and more were seized.
The investigation was conducted by the State Police, under the direction of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, and was extended to the regions of Vlora, Kukës, Fier, Durrës, and Tirana. In addition to individuals under investigation, various businessmen and police officers were also implicated.
Police Director Muhamet Rrumbullaku stated that this operation also served the initiative of the State Police for self-cleansing from criminal elements.
In the year-long investigation into this case, according to the police, 380 police forces and 60 vehicles from investigative structures were engaged in investigating criminal groups.