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Pëllumb Qamo was expelled from the State Police after the discovery of 12 tons of cannabis in Përmet, while the municipality under her leadership has contracted companies with shareholders linked to the Talo Çela criminal group and people convicted of corruption...
After the Municipality of Bulqiza, the Pamphlet will today stop at the Municipality of Përmet, thus preceding a cycle of articles that focus precisely on small municipalities, where local government is exercised as a personal fiefdom and public funds are managed away from the eyes of the national media.
After her re-election in May 2023, the mayor of Përmet, Alma Hoxha (Qamo), continues to lead this municipality under the shadow of dubious tenders, appointments without competition and close ties with the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro. Known in the circles as the “Beyleresha” of Kumbaro, Alma Hoxha is considered one of its most loyal officials, enjoying full political support to manage public funds in this region, away from the eyes of the opposition and the national media.
The relationship between Alma Hoxha and Mirela Kumbaro is not simply a party connection. They are considered key figures in a close group within the Socialist Party, where Kumbaro has entrusted the administration of one of the smallest municipalities, but with high tourist potential, precisely her “Beylereshë”. This close relationship has provided Alma Hoxha with a kind of political “immunity”, allowing her to act without punishment for numerous violations during her mandate.
Tenders for crime companies
A 2024 procurement by the Municipality of Përmet for the supply of food for kindergartens and dormitories, worth around 39 million lekë, became the subject of serious controversy. The winning company “Gerti 1987” turned out to have shareholders with direct links to Gentian Sharra, a member of the Talo Çela criminal group, as well as to Edlira Naqellari, a woman previously convicted of corruption related to tenders.
But what raised suspicions was the fact that the municipality had listed only one kindergarten with 32 children, but had ordered large quantities of food, creating strong suspicions of inflated demand and embezzlement of funds.
Meanwhile, a tender of 54 million new lek (540 million old lek) for the installation of “smart” street lighting in Përmet was allegedly predetermined from the beginning to companies linked to Luan Kapri, Gëzim Salillari (Gëzim i Kashtës) and Artan Sako, excluding any fair competition.
Violations of the Constitution and mass evictions without a court decision
Alma Hoxha (Qamo) appointed several employees without open competition, in clear violation of Article 107 of the Albanian Constitution and the principle of equality in employment. At the same time, she dismissed about 120 employees from the previous administration. These employees won lawsuits for unfair dismissal, but the municipality, under her leadership, is suspected of not implementing court-ordered payments, making questionable use of public funds.
The list of suspicious tenders follows:
A tender of 363 million lek for an irrigation canal in the village of Bual was awarded without competition to a consortium of EUROSTIL sh.pk and MELA sh.pk, companies that allegedly did not have the necessary licenses.
A 130 million lek tender for fuel supply was awarded to Bolv Oil under dubious conditions, without real competition.
Brother expelled by police after 12 tons of cannabis warehouses
The SP leader for the Municipality of Përmet, Alma Qamo (Hoxha), also has a brother who was dismissed from the police force. This is Pëllumb Qamo, who was an Assistant Specialist of the SPZ in the Piskove Administrative Unit, Municipality of Përmet, and was dismissed from the State Police for serious violations of the Regulations.
The news about Qamo was given at the time by the State Police Spokesperson, Gentian Mullai, after a major operation where a record warehouse with 12 tons of cannabis was discovered in Përmet. The police announcement of April 9, 2017 stated that Inspector Pëllumb Qamo, with the duty of Assistant Specialist SPZ in the Piskovo Administrative Unit, was expelled for serious violations of the State Police Regulation.
At that time, other officers were accused of favoring drug cultivation and trafficking while on duty. In the same operation, Kastriot Ndoj, Head of the Crime Section at the Përmet Police Station, and Ermir Gërxhani, Head of the Police Station, were dismissed from duty, while disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the director of the Gjirokastër District Police, Aranit Arapi.
"Beyleresha" under the protection of Kumbaro
Despite numerous dossiers, dubious tenders and violations of the Constitution, Alma Hoxha continues to hold the position of mayor of Përmet, thanks to the full support of Mirela Kumbaro. Known as her “Beyleresha”, she has managed to secure a dubious autonomy in the management of public funds, operating as a small “master” of the bargain in the service of a narrow group within the Socialist Party.
It is not difficult to understand for what such "merits" this official is protected by the dome of power, being allowed to violate the law without being touched even by the institutions of justice. While SPAK investigates other cases of corruption in the country, the Përmet case remains another example of how local government turns into personal fiefdoms supported by high politics.
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