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Task force against organized crime / Dumani and Biggar sign the memorandum

2024-02-22 20:18:00, Aktualitet CNA

After the task force against illegal immigration, Albania and Great Britain will set up a task force against organized crime. Also, the two states will conduct joint investigations and exchange information to attack criminal groups and seize their assets.

This will be made possible thanks to the memorandum that was signed between the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom. The general director of this agency, Graeme Biggar, signed the memorandum with the head of SPAK, Altin Dumani, on February 22.

SPAK called it a historic moment as this is the first agreement that the British agency signs with an investigative structure in Albania.

"The main goal is to institutionalize the partnership between SPAK and NCA, in the joint effort to fight organized crime, money laundering and corruption of high public officials", says the announcement of SPAK.

The memorandum envisages the continuous commitment of the two parties to strengthen the cooperation, which aims to bring concrete results in the attack on some of the most important activities of Albanian criminal groups in the United Kingdom and in Albania, mainly in the trafficking of narcotics, the trafficking of human beings, firearms trafficking and money laundering.

SPAK also emphasized that the strengthening of these relations has a direct impact on the security and stability of the rule of law in Albania, the United Kingdom and the European Union. The work will start immediately and will also include aspects related to the most advanced financial investigation strategies.

The Director General of the National Crime Agency in Great Britain then met with the Director General of the State Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku. The meeting discussed the establishment of the task force and joint investigative teams, as well as the immediate exchange of information to attack criminal groups, as well as criminal decisions to seize the assets that come from crime.

Two days ago, the prime minister of Albania, Edi Rama, met with the British ambassador in Tirana, Alastair King-Smith. In the press release, it was emphasized that the ambassador conveyed "the British Prime Minister's agreement that the United Kingdom supports the next phase of Albania's efforts to reform the rule of law and anti-corruption, including with the state police and the judiciary."

The National Crime Agency in Great Britain (NCA) in September of last year had stated that Western Balkan criminal groups have taken control of more cocaine and cannabis markets in the country.

The British media have often reported on cases where Albanian citizens have been involved in criminal activities, the proceeds of which they have invested in Albania in various forms.

In December 2022, Albania and Great Britain signed a cooperation agreement to address illegal immigration. For this purpose, a joint task force was set up, and the return of illegal immigrants began.