Operation “Autumn” in Saranda: 20 people arrested for distributing narcotics

A coordinated operation against the distribution of narcotics has ended in Saranda with the arrest and detention of 20 people. The Saranda Court had ordered pretrial detention for all the suspects following a two-month proactive investigation by the Police, conducted in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office.

During the operation, codenamed “Autumn,” the authorities seized two pistols, quantities of cocaine and cannabis, four vehicles, 19 mobile phones, and a sum of money in lek and euros.

The searches were carried out pursuant to court orders. During these actions, two of the arrested individuals, D. S. and Sh. B., were caught in possession of a pistol each. The weapons found were seized as material evidence and will be further analyzed by the Institute of Scientific Police.

The Police said that the cocaine and cannabis found had been packaged into dozens of doses, raising suspicions that the narcotics were intended for sale.

The investigation into this group had begun earlier. On July 31, 2026, as part of the same criminal proceeding, three people were arrested in flagrante delicto, while around 5 kilograms of cannabis were seized. The cannabis is suspected to have been intended for distribution in Saranda and Ksamil.

According to the investigation’s findings, the suspected drug-selling activity took place in several parts of Saranda, including beaches, nightclubs and areas near schools.

The operation was carried out by the Saranda Police Station together with the Special Operational Force, the National Security Force, the operational units of Fier and Tirana, as well as local Police structures in Tirana, Elbasan and Gjirokastër.

A 36-year-old man from Lushnja has been prosecuted while at liberty after, according to the Police, he resisted officers in order to obstruct the search of a hotel room. One of the arrested individuals was found in the room, where a firearm was also seized.

The Saranda Prosecutor’s Office is continuing its investigation to fully document the suspected criminal activity, establish individual responsibilities and identify other people who may have taken part.