[REVISION HISTORY]

Albanian cannabis trafficking networks

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 10:00 UTC → 2026-09-09 14:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Investigations have highlighted the reach of Albanian organized crime in the cannabis trade, both domestically and internationally. In the United Kingdom, reports indicate the presence of at least 450 illegal cannabis farms operated by Albanian groups, a multi-billion pound industry that has occasionally resulted in gang violence. These operations often utilize residential properties to evade detection. This situation has intersected with legal challenges regarding the deportation of Albanian nationals who are victims of human trafficking and forced into cultivation. British immigration judges have placed new restrictions on the deportation of such individuals, noting a “lack of specialized protection structures in Albania for young men who have been exploited abroad.” In Albania, law enforcement has conducted several targeted operations. During ~~‘Operation Anchor’~~ a joint operation at the Port of ~~Durrës,~~ Durrës involving the Prosecutor's Office and customs, authorities seized approximately 80 107.7 kilograms of ‘Gelato’ cannabis, valued at roughly 1 1.2 million euros. The narcotics were ~~sourced from Ontario, Canada, and transported~~ discovered hidden in a modified ~~vehicle. Three Kosovar citizens—Taulant Duraku (32), Luan Gashi (26),~~ and ~~Besfort Jaka (40)—were arrested, while two others, H. C. from Kukës and G. O.~~ wood-covered compartments of a camper arriving from ~~Ontario,~~ Canada. Two individuals remain wanted ~~for questioning. Further domestic~~ in connection with this trafficking investigation. Domestic efforts ~~include~~ continue through ‘Operation Neonët’ in Shkodër. In the fourth phase of this operation, police arrested a 22-year-old in Vau i Dejës and conducted a raid in Velipojë, seizing 308 suspected cannabis plants, 85 grams of dried substance, and 122 electrical devices. This raid ~~also~~ led to the legal processing of two OSHEE ~~employees~~ employees, aged 50 and 59, for ‘abuse of office’ regarding the illegal use of electricity. Additionally, ~~two suspects were~~ police arrested ~~in Barbullush for converting~~ two suspects, aged 25 and 28, who had converted residential spaces in Barbullush into indoor cultivation ~~sites.~~ sites using specialized lighting.

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