The Minister of Interior Affairs, Fatmir Xhafaj, tweeted today at noon, calling the interception of 600 kilograms of cocaine in Durrës a collaboration of Albanian authorities with international partners:
An enormous effort by the State Police in collaboration with other local and foreign law enforcement agencies. A serious blow to international drug trafficking! The investigation continues! The Rule of Law, the rule of the state is in full action. More details soon in police press conference.
However, the minister’s claims seem to be contradicting those of the State Police. Reacting to a statement by opposition leader Lulzim Basha, the State Police said the operation was carried out solely by local authorities.
This operation is an indisputable victory for Albanian law enforcement, made possible by intensive planning and collaborating with the Prosecution of Serious Crimes and Customs. In this instance, the entire operation was carried out without any involvement on the part of our international partners.
It is unlikely that Xhafaj was so uninformed, especially considering that the police claims the vehicle has been kept under surveillance for several days. Today, in the port of Durrës, authorities seized 600 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of bananas from Columbia to be delivered to an Albanian company, Arbri Garden shpk.
