Smuggled goods/ The customs office in Qafë Bote, the shift manager and the driver are arrested

A 63-year-old man was arrested by the police of Vlora, after transporting large quantities of suspected smuggled consumer products in trucks and trailers.

Also, the customs officer of the Customs Branch in Qafë Bote and the shift manager were arrested for the criminal offense of "Misuse of duty".

In the meantime, the criminal proceedings began for the 43-year-old citizen, with the duty of agent at the Customs Branch around the World.

Police Notification:

DVP Vlorë/ A case of smuggling in Albania of consumer products, for the purpose of sale, is identified and prosecuted.

The Sector for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crimes of DVP Vlorë, in cooperation with the Sarandë Police Station, finalized the coded police operation "Tranzit 4".

The 63-year-old man was arrested for transporting large amounts of suspected smuggled consumer products in trucks and trailers.

The police identify the business administrator on whose account the goods were transported and continue the work to capture him.

In handcuffs and 2 employees of the Qafë Bote Customs Branch, on suspicion of misuse of duties. In the investigation for the same criminal offense, a third employee of this branch.

Large quantities of food products and detergents, 2 trucks, 1 trailer and 4 mobile phones are seized as material evidence.

Following the work to crack down on cases of goods smuggling, following the information provided by the police intelligence, about a case of illegality in this area, the coded police operation "Tranzit 4" was organized and finalized, during which:

- A 63-year-old citizen was arrested for the criminal offense of "Smuggling other goods", a 54-year-old citizen, with customs duty at the Qafë Botë Customs Branch, for the criminal offense of "Abuse of duty", and a 49-year-old citizen, with duty in charge of the shift at the Qafë World Customs Branch, for the criminal offense "Abuse of duty".

- A 52-year-old citizen, business administrator, was declared wanted for the criminal offense "Trading and transporting contraband goods".

- The materials were referred to the Prosecutor's Office, where the proceedings began in a free state for the criminal offense "Abuse of duty", for the 43-year-old citizen, with the duty of agent in the Qafë Botë Customs Branch.

During the operation, the citizen was caught in the PKK Qafë Botë, bringing into Albania, with heavy vehicles (trucks and trailers), large quantities of suspected contraband products for consumption. Meanwhile, the 52-year-old man was declared wanted, as it is suspected that these goods were transported on behalf of the business he managed.

The arrest of the citizens and the prosecution of the 43-year-old man were made after it is suspected that, by abusing their duties, they allowed this criminal activity to be carried out.

Efforts are being made to capture the citizen and to identify and document the criminal responsibility of all citizens implicated in this case.

The procedural materials were passed to the Prosecutor's Office of Saranda for further actions.