FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
A large-scale police operation has uncovered and cracked down on a suspected scheme to traffic stolen valuables abroad, which were illegally brought into Albania and then traded in jewelry stores in Fier and Lushnja.
According to the Police, a 27-year-old man was arrested, while a 45-year-old man was declared wanted as a suspect for involvement in the same criminal activity. Seven jewelry store administrators were also prosecuted, who were suspected of buying and selling goods of illegal origin.
During searches conducted in homes and commercial premises, authorities seized 15 kilograms and 259 grams of gold, 4 kilograms and 281 grams of silver, 612 watches of various brands, 13 pendants decorated with diamonds, as well as other objects suspected of having artistic and cultural value.
Also, sums of money in lek and euros, mobile phones, DVR equipment and other material evidence that is expected to serve the investigation have been blocked.
According to preliminary estimates, the total value of the seized items amounts to around 2 million euros.
"The police operation codenamed "Stolen Gold" is finalized. A criminal scheme of trafficking and trading in valuables, suspected of being stolen abroad, is being cracked down on.
They secured valuables in Italy and Greece, smuggled them into Albania and traded them in jewelry stores in Fier and Lushnja, a 27-year-old man is arrested and a 45-year-old man is wanted, suspected of the same criminal activity. 7 jewelry store administrators are being prosecuted.
15 kg and 259 grams of gold, 4 kg and 281 grams of silver, 612 watches of various brands, 13 diamond pendants, suspected items of artistic and cultural value, money in lek and euros, mobile phones, DVRs and other items were seized. The preliminary value of the seized items is estimated at around 2 million euros.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Investigation Section services at the Fier Police Department, in cooperation with the Criminal Investigation structures, the Fier and Lushnje Police Commissariats, under the direction of the Fier Prosecutor's Office, after a several-month investigation conducted with special investigative methods, finalized the police operation codenamed "Stolen Gold".
As part of this operation, the citizen DS, 27 years old, resident of the village of Kreshpan, Fier, was detained.
From the investigative actions, it is suspected that this citizen illegally obtained valuables, gold and silver jewelry, watches of various brands, as well as other objects of economic interest, which were allegedly obtained from thefts committed outside the territory of the Republic of Albania, mainly in Italy and Greece, and then traded them in various jewelry entities.
During the search of his apartment, jewelry, watches, suspected items of artistic and cultural value, as well as shotgun cartridges were found and seized.
Following the procedural actions, the following citizens were criminally prosecuted at large: DH, 45 years old, E. Gj., 38 years old, and A. Sh., 35 years old, all three residents of Fier, as well as MS, 39 years old, AK, 62 years old, BB, 65 years old, and JD, 41 years old, all four residents of Lushnja.
These citizens, administrators of jewelry entities, are suspected of buying and trading suspected stolen items, provided by citizen DS. Also, from the verifications carried out, it is suspected that goods without legal documentation of origin were available in their commercial entities, as well as valuable items suspected of being smuggled goods. A significant part of the seized items was also found during the searches carried out in their homes.
Following the investigations, the following citizen was declared wanted: BA, 45 years old, resident of the village of Kraps, Fier.
From the investigative actions, it is suspected that this citizen was engaging in the same criminal activity as citizen DS, obtaining valuables abroad and trading them in various jewelry stores in Fier and Lushnje.
During the search of his apartment, watches of various brands, gold and silver jewelry, as well as a rubber baton similar to the one used by the Police were found and seized. Intensive work continues to locate and capture him.
"Investigations continue to identify and fully document other persons who may be involved in this criminal activity. The procedural materials were passed to the Fier Prosecutor's Office for further action," the police announced.
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