Tirana Airport Under Heavy Security as Dritan Rexhepi Arrives in Albania

 In a high-security operation, Dritan Rexhepi, one of Albania’s most wanted criminals, was extradited from Turkey to Albania on Wednesday. Rexhepi, known as the “Cocaine King,” landed at Tirana’s Mother Teresa Airport in Rinas and was immediately transported to the high-security prison 313 under the close watch of law enforcement.

Special forces and military forces accompany Dritan Rexhepi in Istanbul

Euronews Albania captured exclusive footage of Rexhepi’s arrival, which showcased a significant police presence organized by the Directorate of Prisons. The measures taken underscore the gravity of his criminal record and the threat he is perceived to pose.

Special forces and military forces accompany Dritan Rexhepi in Tirana, source: Albanian Police

Rexhepi has been a central figure in numerous high-profile crimes. Among the most heinous accusations against him is the abduction and disappearance of Jan Prenga on January 17, 2020, a case that has drawn significant public and judicial attention. The charges were brought against him by the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK).

Once a law student, Rexhepi has since become one of the most notorious drug traffickers, operating a vast cocaine network spanning from South America to Europe. His criminal career is marked by violence, including a 25-year sentence for the 1998 murder of two police officers, Arben Keqi and Durim Kasmi, in Fushë-Krujë.

Rexhepi’s notoriety extends beyond his drug empire. He is infamous for a series of dramatic prison escapes. In 2007, he escaped police custody in Durrës, and a year later, he fled from Pavia prison in Italy. He also managed another breakout in Belgium. Utilizing a forged passport under the alias Lulzim Murataj, Rexhepi crossed into Greece through Kakavijë in 2013 and has evaded capture in Albania until now.

The extradition marks a pivotal moment in Albania’s efforts to bring high-profile criminals to justice. Rexhepi’s arrival and subsequent imprisonment signal a significant step in holding accountable those who have evaded the law for decades.