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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
A 27-year-old Albanian man is facing trial at Edinburgh Crown Court, several months after being arrested during a police operation.
We are talking about citizen Ardit Mazreku , who, according to local authorities, was part of a criminal group that distributed drugs in the capital of Scotland.
The court heard that the 27-year-old was working for a group of Albanian gangsters.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Mazrreku was arrested on September 25, 2024, during an operation aimed at checking properties to see if they were being used for illegal activities.
Detectives discovered over £6,000 in cash at the flat where Mazrek was arrested. "At 9.50am on 25 September 2024, police officers accompanied Edinburgh City Council staff on a visit to the flat at 53/8 Ratcliffe Terrace.
The visit was part of a planned programme of property visits to several locations across the city, in response to concerns that some rental properties were operating without contracts. The council had asked the police to attend these visits as part of preventative measures in the event of aggressive behaviour by property occupants.
"When the officers knocked on the apartment door, the accused opened the door. The officers explained the purpose of their visit and after a short while - since the accused said he had to make a phone call - he allowed them in," the courtroom was told.
The court later heard that officers found the drugs in various locations in the house. The story came to light after Mazrreku pleaded guilty to involvement in the supply of cocaine.
According to authorities, the accused was a citizen of Albania and police were initially concerned that he was a victim of human trafficking.
"As a result of statements he made to police officers during their investigation into these matters, the police referred him to the national mechanism as a possible victim of human trafficking."
"On October 2, 2024, the sole competent authority of the Ministry of Interior under the national referral mechanism issued a decision that there were no reasonable grounds to suspect that he was a victim of human trafficking," the Court was told.
Police later learned how Mazrreku had gotten to Scotland. "The defendant came to Edinburgh from Albania under the auspices of an Albanian-based organised crime group. His involvement in the supply of cocaine to Edinburgh was on behalf of that organised crime group. He has no right to remain in the United Kingdom," the court was told.
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