During his annual report to the Parliamentary Commission of Laws, the head of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Altin Dumani, highlighted significant issues regarding money laundering in Albania. Dumani identified the investment in movable and immovable properties, the utilization of banks, and the involvement of Albanian businesses as some of the primary methods employed by organized crime for laundering money.
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| Video screenshot of the head of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) reporting to the Parliamentary Commission of Laws, with red tie. |
Dumani elaborated on one intricate scheme involving the use of Albanian banks and businesses as intermediaries for international criminal organizations, such as the Italian mafia. "In one case, an Albanian business collaborated to provide access to representatives of the international mafia, allowing them to integrate criminal proceeds into the banking sector. These proceeds were then layered through various transfers, ultimately being sent abroad with the assistance of the local business," Dumani stated.
Despite these sophisticated attempts, Dumani emphasized that the excellent cooperation with second-tier banks and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - the Financial Supervision Agency - led to the failure of this criminal operation, according to a report from the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH).
The 2023 investigations revealed that Albanian criminal groups are heavily involved in the international trafficking of hard drugs. These groups have established a dominant presence in closed-cycle trafficking and control territories in countries of origin, including those in Latin America.
Dumani noted several characteristics of these criminal organizations: membership ranging from 20 to 25 individuals, engagement in polycriminal activities, the use of violence for territorial control, secondary roles for women, sophisticated contract killings, encrypted communications, and the conversion of money into cryptocurrencies.
One particularly concerning activity is the sophisticated operations of these groups via call centers. This method has added a new layer of complexity to their criminal enterprises.
Furthermore, Dumani reported that criminal markets in Albania present a troubling situation with active groups in cities such as Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Fier, Shkodër, Elbasan, Kurbin, and Fushë-Krujë. These groups' activities are a significant concern for law enforcement agencies trying to curb organized crime in the country.
This comprehensive insight into the operations of organized crime in Albania underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in dismantling these sophisticated networks and the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in combating financial crimes.