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7 clusters · 68 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

Albanian and international police criminal arrests

Overview

In late July 2026, police in Dibër detained a 38-year-old man who brandished a firearm on Elez Isufi boulevard, threatening residents. Investigators identified a 19-year-old accomplice who also aimed the weapon at locals aged 18-52. After the arrest, criminal obstruction proceedings were opened against eight citizens for failing to report the incident and against two 44-year-old individuals suspected of impeding the inquiry. In early August 2026, law enforcement efforts shifted toward transnational drug crime. In Durrës, the FAST unit and Interpol Tirana facilitated the arrest of multiple individuals wanted by Italian authorities, including O. D., sentenced to 11 years and one month for drug trafficking and document fraud, and G. L., sentenced to six years. On August 10, 2026, police executed operation ‘Wanted 37’ in Durrës, arresting 43-year-old Kastriot Dyrmishi, who had been sentenced by the Court of Appeal in Florence to 14 years for drug trafficking. Simultaneously, a raid in Italy’s Lazio region uncovered a cocaine refinery, resulting in the seizure of approximately 28 kg of cocaine and the arrest of five people. By mid-August 2026, the scope of international cooperation expanded through the ‘The Wanted’ operation. Albanian authorities coordinated with Spain, Romania, and the United Kingdom to secure several high-profile arrests and extraditions. In Romania, 49-year-old Aurel Hoxhallari was arrested for premeditated murder and involvement in a criminal group. Additionally, 31-year-old Xjuljano Hoxha was extradited from the United Kingdom for narcotics production, and a 43-year-old Kosovar national, B. B., was arrested in Tirana for suspected involvement in a cocaine trafficking organization in Spain. In late August, Italian police conducted further operations involving Albanian nationals. In Emilia-Romagna, two Albanian citizens, aged 25 and 26, were repatriated following a vehicle pursuit in San Mauro Mare.

Entities

Interpol · Durrës · Interpol Tirana · Italian anti‑drug unit RIS · G. L.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 29 days ago

    [CRIME] 54 sources
    Smajlaj Fisnik extradited to Italy for drug trafficking

    Albanian drug broker Smajlaj Fisnik has been extradited to Italy to face charges in the ‘Gentleman II’ investigation into international drug trafficking networks.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Italian police execute repatriation and arrest of foreign nationals

    Italian police have carried out two separate law enforcement actions: the repatriation of two Albanian citizens from the Riviera and the arrest of an Albanian man in Ragusa wanted by Greek authorities.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Albanian police secure extraditions in 'The Wanted' international operation

    Albanian police, through the 'The Wanted' operation, have coordinated with international partners to arrest and extradite suspects wanted for murder, drug trafficking, and organized crime.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Kastriot Dyrmishi arrested in Durrës for drug trafficking

    Albanian police arrested Kastriot Dyrmishi in Durrës, an internationally wanted man sentenced to 14 years in Italy for drug trafficking. Extradition proceedings are underway.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Albanian drug trafficker arrested in Durrës for extradition; Italy raids cocaine refinery

    Albanian trafficker O. D. arrested in Durrës for extradition after an Italian conviction; Italy also busted a villa‑based cocaine refinery, arresting five people including an Albanian.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Albanian police arrest 50‑year‑old drug trafficker for Italy extradition

    Albanian police arrested a 50‑year‑old man in Durrës, sentenced in Italy for drug trafficking, and are pursuing his extradition.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Albanian police arrest 38‑year‑old after firearm threat in Dibër

    Albanian police arrested a 38‑year‑old in Dibër after he threatened residents with a firearm; eight others face obstruction charges and further suspects are under investigation.

Sources

24-ore.com · 95047.it · antennasud.com · balkanweb.com · calabrianews.it · canicattiweb.com · casertaweb.com · catanianews.it · ciaocomo.it · ciavula.it · comozero.it · corrierecesenate.it · craterenews.it · crema-news.it · crimesite.nl · economymagazine.it · ekonomiaonline.com · elivebrescia.tv · epokaere.com · erbanotizie.com · freepressonline.it · gazeta.mk · gazzettinonline.it · genovaquotidiana.com · gijotina.com · giornaleibleo.it · giornalelora.it · grandangoloagrigento.it · iacchite.blog · ilfattovesuviano.it · ilrestodelcarlino.it · informacalabria.it · italpress.com · javanews.al · lacronaca24.it · lacronacadiroma.it · lajmi.net · lanovitaonline.it · liberoquotidiano.it · litaliano.it · materanews.net · mediacentre.org · monrealepress.it · monza-news.it · monzaindiretta.it · newsicilia.it · noviambiente.com · ntacalabria.it

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history