FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
After the crackdown on builders suspected of money laundering and the crackdown on the group that trafficked 50 tons of cocaine, the head of SPAK gives the strongest message yet about towers, resorts, and investments financed by crime.
SPAK seems to be knocking harder and harder on the financial fortresses built with the money of crime.
Following the action a few days ago against well-known builders suspected of money laundering, including Ilir Shtufi and Artur Shehu, the Special Prosecution Office has today cracked down on another criminal group suspected of having trafficked at least 50 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe and invested the profits in Albania.
Amidst the towers, resorts, hotels, villas, and hundreds of seized properties, the message coming from SPAK is that the battle is no longer just against traffickers, but also against assets that are suspected of being built with drug money.
This message was clearly articulated by the head of SPAK, Klodjan Braho, who reacted after today's operation where 491 assets were seized, including properties in Tirana, Durrës, Himara, Saranda, Elbasan and other areas of the country.
" Wealth of criminal origin harms the legitimate economy, free competition, the economic activity of businesses that operate legally and honestly. They increase the economic strength of organized crime, are used to finance criminal activity and do not bring any public good ," declared Braho.
The SPAK chief's words come at a time when investigations are increasingly shifting to the final destination of criminal money. In the latest dossier, SPAK says that cocaine trafficking profits were brought to Albania in cash and then invested in real estate, construction companies, hotels, consultancy and other economic activities.
" For this reason, assets of criminal origin must be seized, confiscated, transferred to the state and used for legitimate purposes ," Braho stressed.
Today's operation is considered one of the largest crackdowns in recent years on assets suspected of being the product of drug trafficking. In Lalzi Bay alone, 121 properties were seized, while in total 266 real estate properties, 209 bank accounts, vehicles, boats, villas, apartments and hotels were seized.
SPAK has uncovered five episodes of international drug trafficking, while according to investigations, the group operated in Albania, Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands. In total, 8 tons and 960 kilograms of cocaine were seized in Belgium, the Netherlands, Colombia and Ecuador.
At the end of his statement, Braho also gave a guarantee for legitimate businesses, but without leaving any doubt about the direction the investigations are taking.
" SPAK guarantees that its actions only target assets of criminal origin and assets related to criminal activity. In no case will the property rights and other real rights of natural persons and legal entities that invest in economic activities or private enterprises with legally acquired monetary assets and assets be violated ," he said.
After two major operations within a few days, the signal coming from SPAK is clear: it is no longer just the turn of the traffickers, but also of the empires built on their money.
Zoti Braho! Jo premtime mbi ato ceshtje hetimore qe ju sjellin nderkombetaret! Ok , edhe ato artkuloi i pooor politikanet e karte qe i mbeshtesin ne Shqiperi kete jategori. Kush jua dha lejet e ndertimit pa sqaruar nga vijne parate per ndertimin e tyre????