Albanian Fugitive Arrested in Durres for Drug Trafficking, Awaits Extradition to Italy

 A 32-year-old Albanian man has been apprehended in Durres, Albania, and is set to be extradited to Italy to face drug trafficking charges.

 Erjon Meshi, also known as Arjon Mema, being escorted by special forces

Erjon Meshi, also known as Arjon Mema, has been accused of being a member of a criminal organization engaged in narcotics-related activities. The Court of Trento in Italy had previously issued a detention order against him, citing allegations of "Illegal possession, sale, production, distribution, and trafficking of narcotics" as well as "Participation in a criminal group with the intent to traffic narcotics," as stipulated under the Italian Penal Code.

The operation leading to Meshi’s arrest was a result of close cooperation between Interpol Tirana and Interpol Rome. Authorities in both countries are now coordinating efforts to facilitate his extradition.

Official Police Statement:

According to the Albanian police, the arrest came after an intensive manhunt targeting individuals wanted for serious crimes. Utilizing intelligence shared between the respective Interpol offices, the fugitive’s location was identified. The operation, code-named “Latitant,” was carried out by the Road Traffic Sector in collaboration with the Special Operational Force of the Durres Police Directorate.

During the operation, Erjon Meshi, also known by his alias Arjon Mema, was located and provisionally arrested pending extradition to Italy.

The arrest of Meshi underscores the ongoing cooperation between Albanian and Italian authorities in combating organized crime and drug trafficking networks that operate across borders.