Serious corruption allegations: Is Erald Delilaj wreaking havoc at Customs?

A series of allegations of corruption and possible abuses within the customs administration have raised questions about the way controls are being carried out on businesses importing goods into Albania.

At the center of the allegations presented in the material obtained for this matter by Maska.al is the deputy director of Customs, Erald Delilaj, who is accused of pressuring commercial entities and receiving suspected illegal benefits.

According to the complainants, more than 10 complaints have been filed with SPAK and other law enforcement structures since May. The allegations concern activities at the Durrës and Kapshtica customs offices, while the complainants are calling on the competent institutions to verify the cases and determine whether any violations of the law have occurred.

Pressure on businesses and bribes

The complaint material indicates that several commercial entities have faced pressure and illegal demands, which are suspected to be linked to procedures for clearing goods through customs.

According to these complaints, businesses transporting goods by van from the United Kingdom have faced a suspected profit-making scheme involving sums of around 500 euros for each transport vehicle. The complainants also claim that in other cases involving different goods, the amounts requested may have been significantly higher.

Also at the center of the allegations are several shipments of Red Bull energy drinks, electronic cigarettes and other products, which are alleged to have been imported in violation of legal and documentation requirements.

According to the complaint material, sums ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 euros per truck have been cited in these cases. These allegations have not been independently verified and require an investigation to determine whether customs violations occurred and whether officials within the administration received illegal benefits.

Suspicions also surround the destruction of goods in Durrës

Another matter that the complainants want investigated concerns the destruction of several goods that, according to them, were presented as damaged.

The material mentions the case of four containers, for which it is alleged that the destruction process involved suspected payments totaling around 150,000 euros.

The complainants are calling for the documentation, procedures followed and individuals responsible for the process to be verified. If these allegations are confirmed by investigations, the matter could raise serious questions about administrative oversight and the way goods are handled at customs.

However, without official documents and verified evidence, it cannot be determined whether violations occurred or whether there was individual responsibility.

Vehicles arriving from America, another focus of the allegations

The allegations also include customs valuation procedures for vehicles imported from the United States of America.

According to the claims made public in the material, it is suspected that in some cases the value of vehicles was substantially reduced during customs clearance procedures, with reductions of more than 50 percent of their value being cited.

The same material alleges that payments of around 200 euros were requested for some vehicles. These allegations require a comparison of purchase invoices, declared values, customs documentation and decisions made by the responsible employees.

A full investigation could determine whether the valuations were carried out in accordance with the rules in force and whether there was illegal interference in customs procedures.

Fear and pressure on employees, according to the complainants

Another concern raised in the material concerns the working environment within the customs structures.

According to the complainants, some employees and customs agencies have been under pressure and have hesitated to report suspected violations for fear of transfers or administrative measures.

The allegations also include suspicions that certain cases involving possible violations were closed without further action. For this reason, the complainants are calling for internal investigation procedures, administrative decisions and the way complaints by commercial entities were handled to be reviewed.

If supported by evidence, these allegations could require an in-depth institutional review, not only of individual actions but also of the functioning of oversight mechanisms.

SPAK expected to verify the allegations

The material states that complaints have been submitted to SPAK, the prosecution structures in Durrës and Tirana, and other institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office.

The complainants are calling for the cases mentioned to be investigated, customs documents to be verified and the possible responsibilities of the individuals involved to be examined.

Until official documentation confirming the allegations is presented, the accusations against Erald Delilaj and the other individuals mentioned cannot be considered proven facts. Likewise, the material obtained contains no verified information confirming that an arrest decision has been issued against him.

The matter requires institutional transparency and a full verification by the competent authorities. Answers may be found in customs clearance documents, inspection registers, procedures for handling goods and any evidence that can be lawfully obtained during an investigation.

In the coming days, Maska.al will publish allegations and materials implicating Erald Delilaj in corruption scandals.