FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
In February 2024, INA Media, an investigative platform supported by the United States Embassy in Tirana, published an in-depth article that revealed the roots and structure of one of the most powerful criminal groups in Albania, led by Suel Çela. The investigation documented with concrete evidence how this group completely controlled politics and justice in Elbasan, using these connections to secure public tenders, to launder money obtained from drug trafficking, as well as to organize attacks on behalf of politicians, judges and businessmen against favors or money.
The article, which included names of key gang members, details of their illegal activities and schemes of links to corrupt businesses, raised the alarm about the influence of organized crime on Albanian institutions. The gangs connected to Suel Çela, through favors and money, had managed to organize attacks against journalists and independent media, trying to silence voices denouncing their activities.
Today, a few months after the publication of this article and the intervention of law enforcement structures supported by SPAK, Suel Çela's gang has suffered a serious blow. The operation developed in Elbasan, also supported by Sky Ecc application data, led to the release of 21 security measures, including important arrests such as that of Mario Çela, brother of Suel Çela, and Marsel alias Bujar Shegë, a businessman with connections close to the group.
This case is evidence that investigative journalism, like that of INA Media, has a key role in the fight against organized crime and corruption, inciting concrete actions from justice and exposing the links between criminal groups and state institutions.
Investigative Network Albania article:
Elbasani: Tenders, crime and drugs!
Lini një Përgjigje