Authorities have revealed details about a significant operation targeting human trafficking networks, resulting in 32 arrest warrants being executed. According to official sources, "arrest with imprisonment" measures have been imposed on 31 individuals suspected of being organizers, leaders, and members of criminal groups, including a member of the State Police structures.
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Additionally, one individual has been placed under "house arrest" for their suspected involvement in several criminal offenses, including "Assistance in Illegal Border Crossing" committed in a form of special collaboration, "Forgery of Identity Cards, Passports, or Visas" also committed in special collaboration, "Document Forgery" similarly committed, "Structured Criminal Group," and "Commitment of Criminal Offenses by a Criminal Organization or Group."
This operation was supported by a Joint Investigative Team (JIT) established with judicial authorities in Tarragona, Spain. This collaboration enabled the identification and documentation of the criminal activities of several groups involved in facilitating illegal border crossings for Albanian nationals aiming to travel to the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Investigations revealed that the group in question produced fake identification documents, primarily from European Union countries (passports, identity cards, driving licenses, and other documents). They also identified and mediated for Albanian nationals seeking to travel to the UK. The traffickers transported individuals using falsified documents primarily to Spain, arranged their accommodation, and provided instructions on the travel routes to follow. This included assistance from two travel agencies and monitoring at airports to ensure whether the individuals were arrested or successfully traveled to the UK.
The criminal network also facilitated illegal crossings through manipulation of visa application processes for the United States and Canada, using forged documents and instructing individuals on how to behave during interviews or at airports.
SPAK (Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime) highlighted that the individuals under investigation were well-organized and aware of each other’s roles within the criminal activities. This level of organization indicates a premeditated and well-structured operation with specific tasks and roles aimed at financial gain.
So far, the State Police General Directorate has executed 32 personal security measures for the suspects under investigation, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend five more individuals.
During the operation, authorities seized various items used in criminal activities, including 25,000 euros, 20,000 pounds, valuable items, a facility adapted for document forgery, computers, printers used for selling and transferring virtual currency – BITCOIN, quantities of narcotics, and other documents crucial to the investigation.
The investigations continue regarding the execution of security measures for the remaining suspects and the collection and securing of evidence against other individuals involved in these criminal activities.