Mega anti-drug operation in Saranda. A total of 20 people have been arrested after a two-month investigation for the sale of narcotics and illegal possession of weapons.
Arlind Osmani, Feliks Filija, Medi Myftaraj, Nikolin Rakipi, Altin Arapi alias Altin Demiri, Klerjan Popshini, Redian Arizi, Erion Dido, Dhimiter Terolli and Xhuliano Mejdi were arrested. Following the action, Vasil Kaci, Flatun Lalaj, Bledar Kovaci, Shefqet Bezhani, Andrea Babi, Nazif Refitaj, Elvis Demcaj, Denis Saliaj, Korado Omeri were also arrested.
Meanwhile, Fabjo Berhamaj and Stilian Rakipi have been declared wanted by the police, while Ermir Nasi has been processed at large. The operation codenamed “Autumn” has been finalized by the Saranda Police Commissariat in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office and other State Police structures. During the checks within the framework of the action, 72 doses of cocaine and 80 doses of cannabis, suspected of being for sale, were seized.
Two pistols, four vehicles, 19 mobile phones and a sum of money in lek and euros were also seized as material evidence. According to the police, two of the arrested, Denis Saliaj and Shefqet Bezhani, were caught with a pistol firearm each.
Investigations have revealed that the group is suspected of operating drug trafficking operations in Saranda and Ksamil, mainly in beach areas, nightclubs and near schools. This operation is part of an investigation that began two months ago, and on July 31, Argjend Nanaj, Ardit Cama and a person with the initials KJ were arrested in flagrante delicto.
During the July 31 operation, 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis were also seized, which was suspected of being distributed in Saranda and Ksamil. For the 20 arrested persons, the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Saranda had set the security measure “arrest in prison”, while investigations continue for the full documentation of the criminal activity and the identification of other persons involved.
Police announcement:
Saranda/The police operation codenamed “Autumn” is being finalized, to crack down on criminal activity in the field of narcotics and illegal possession of weapons.
The operation, following a proactive 2-month investigation conducted by the Saranda Police Commissariat, in close cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office.
20 citizens were arrested and detained. 2 firearms, a pistol, cocaine and cannabis, vehicles and mobile phones were seized.
Two months ago, as part of this proceeding, 3 citizens were arrested in flagrante delicto and 5 kg of suspected cannabis were seized.
The services of the Saranda Police Commissariat, in cooperation with the Directorate of the Special Operational Force, the National Security Force, the Fier and Tirana Units, as well as the Local Police Directorates of Tirana, Elbasan and Gjirokastër, under the direction of the Prosecutor, Ms. Esmeranda Basho, at the Prosecutor’s Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Saranda, finalized the police operation codenamed “Autumn”. Within the framework of this operation, the citizens against whom the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Saranda had imposed the security measure “arrest in prison”, specifically:
AO, 25 years old; FF, 27 years old; MM, 35 years old; KP, 27 years old; RA, 33 years old, resident in Ksamil; NR, 32 years old; AA (D), 48 years old; ED, 41 years old; Dh. T., 33 years old; Xh. M., 27 years old; VK, 23 years old; FL, 54 years old; BK, 26 years old; Sh. B., 20 years old; AB, 20 years old; NR, 24 years old; ED, 30 years old; DS, 22 years old; KO, 28 years old and FB, 30 years old, resident in Saranda.
During the checks carried out based on the decisions of the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Saranda, the police found a firearm, a pistol, from citizens DS and Sh. B., which will be subjected to further examinations at the Institute of Scientific Police.
As material evidence, quantities of cocaine and cannabis, divided into dozens of doses for the purpose of sale, 4 vehicles, 19 mobile phones and a sum of money, in lek and euros, were also seized.
Meanwhile, during the operation, citizen EN, 36 years old, resident of Lushnja, was released on bail after he refused to allow the Police to search one of the hotel rooms, where citizen Sh. B. was arrested and a pistol was found on him.
Previously, within the framework of this proceeding, on 31.07.2026, citizens AN, AC and KJ were arrested in flagrante delicto, and 5 kg of cannabis were seized, which they allegedly intended to distribute in Saranda and Ksamil.
The investigations show that these citizens were engaged in the sale of narcotics in the Saranda district, in beach areas, nightclubs and near schools.
Investigations continue, under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office, to fully document the criminal activity, determine individual responsibilities, and identify other persons involved in this criminal activity.
The procedural materials were referred to the Saranda Prosecutor’s Office for further action.