The structures of the Task Force established in implementation of the operational plan “Force of Law”, have discovered 40 main criminal groups currently operating in Albania.
When 3 weeks have passed since the start of this operation, which is also supported by FBI experts, the Police now have a map with the strategic points where criminal groups have been identified. Based on this study, it turns out that the most problematic city is Durrës. Sources say that at least 7 criminal groups have been identified in Durrës and Shijak alone.
Vlora holds the second place with 5 criminal groups and then Elbasan. Tirana, although a city with a busy dynamic and a high population, does not prove problematic in this regard.
For years, two criminal groups have been identified in the capital, which are currently not active, as their members have been hit from time to time by the Police. Regarding the field in which these groups carry out illegal activity, drug cultivation and trafficking dominate, in 53 percent of cases.
CRIMINAL GROUPS
Within the framework of the “Force of Law” operation, the main criminal gangs in the country have been listed, of which 40 of the most important have been identified so far. Their activity extends mainly to drug cultivation and trafficking, theft, but also serious crimes such as murder, extortion and hostage-taking.
The Central Task Force and the regional ones established within the framework of this operational plan already have in their hands the concrete names of people and their assets. In Durrës and Shijak alone, there are at least 7 active criminal groups. Vlora ranks second with at least 5 criminal groups, which are suspected of extending their activity even overseas.
Elbasan is another hot spot, with at least 3 criminal groups that have been listed in the Police files over the years. Shkodra and Fier have the same number of groups, but in these two regions, the Police say they have struck one group. Korça, Kukësi, Berat, Lezha, Gjirokastra and Dibra do not yet appear to have any groups identified within the framework of this operation.
According to official data from the Ministry of the Interior, 53% of criminal groups are involved in drug cultivation and trafficking, 11% in illegal trafficking, 18% in serious crimes such as murder and hostage-taking, and 18% in economic crime.
COOPERATION
Continuous specialized support for the State Police, in connection with the “Force of the Law” operation, will be provided by FBI Special Agent Mark Newhouse, who has outstanding experience in investigating organized crime and money laundering.
Also present, temporarily, will be the FBI Director for Southeast Europe, Jack Liao. “Force of the Law” will also have the support of Hubertus Hoffmann, an expert from the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, with consolidated international experience in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.
The coordinator of the Directorate against Organized Crime and Serious Crime in the Western Balkans, at the British Home Office, Sarah McAveety, will soon arrive and stay for a long time.
The team will also be joined by two special experts from the Guardia di Finanza and Interforza.
