Two arrested in Tirana while transporting more than 5.2 kg of heroin and cocaine to Durrës

A substantial quantity of drugs, suspected of being destined for Durrës, was seized during the police operation codenamed “Direction,” while two people were arrested.

According to preliminary reports, those arrested are 51-year-old Mirland Herri and 41-year-old Lutfi Hoxha.

During the operation, police spotted a “Benz” vehicle suspected of being used to transport narcotics. A search of the car uncovered a bag containing seven packages: four of heroin and three of cocaine.

Initial police data showed that the total quantity seized was 5 kilograms and 244 grams of heroin and cocaine.

The Director of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, in his statement on the operation, thanked media representatives for attending on a day off and for their proper cooperation in informing citizens about the results of Tirana Police’s local structures.

He stressed that Tirana Police’s local structures remain fully committed to preventing criminal incidents, detecting and cracking down on illegal activities, apprehending wanted persons and individuals carrying firearms or attempting to traffic them. According to him, efforts have also focused on combating drug trafficking and continuously monitoring conflicts and citizens’ reports.

In this context, at midday today, the Narcotics Investigation Section of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, following operational work, organized and concluded Operation “Direction.” Through this action, an attempt to traffic a substantial quantity of hard drugs was disrupted and prevented.

Police announced that during the operation, 51-year-old Mirand Herri, a resident of Maminas, Durrës, and 41-year-old Luftim Hoxha, born in Dibër and residing in Maminas, Durrës, were caught and arrested in flagrante.

Operational information obtained by the Narcotics Investigation Section indicated that the two individuals would take a large quantity of narcotics to the “Treshi” area, near Nishtulla 3, while travelling towards Durrës.

Based on this information, the police operation “Direction” was organized within a very short time and concluded with the intervention of police services.

On “Kastriotët” Street, officers identified a “Mercedes-Benz” vehicle carrying the two suspects and the drugs. Officers from the Narcotics Investigation Section intervened and stopped the car.

During a search of the vehicle’s interior, police found a bag containing seven packages of suspected narcotics.

Of these, four packages contained heroin weighing 2 kilograms and 123.6 grams, while the other three packages contained suspected cocaine, with a total weight of 3 kilograms and 120.6 grams.

In total, 5 kilograms and 244.2 grams of heroin and cocaine were seized.

The two detainees were immediately taken to the Tirana Local Police Directorate for further procedures. Investigative actions showed that they intended to transport the narcotics to Durrës.

Investigations are continuing in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office to identify other people involved in this criminal activity. Due to the ongoing investigation, police said they could not release further details about the operation.

Operation “Direction” is part of a series of operations by Tirana Police’s local structures against the sale and trafficking of narcotics. Just one week ago, two people were caught with 250 grams of cocaine, while over the past two weeks several operations have been completed to detain wanted individuals considered dangerous and people carrying weapons, including foreign nationals.

The Director of the Tirana Local Police Directorate also addressed a case considered highly sensitive, involving a confrontation with bladed weapons among around 28 minors aged between 13 and 17.

Thanks to the timely gathering of information and the full commitment of Police Station No. 6, Operational Forces and the “Eagles” of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, checks were carried out for around 72 hours. Through the Cybercrime Investigation structures of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, social networks were monitored, while data collected by field services was also used. As a result, the minors were identified and an incident that could have had fatal consequences for their lives was prevented.

The director thanked all police services for the professionalism shown in preventing the conflict.

At the same time, he called on parents to cooperate with Police inspectors in the areas where they live and with General Patrols on the ground, reporting any suspicious situation they notice involving their children. According to him, this cooperation enables timely intervention and prevents incidents that put lives at risk.

In a message to citizens, it was stressed that the Tirana Local Police Directorate remains fully committed and has all the necessary capabilities to guarantee order and security and combat all forms of illegality.

However, the director underlined that without citizens’ help, this sacred mission would remain incomplete, and urged them to promptly report every case of illegality to police structures or by calling 112.

In conclusion, he called for greater support and trust in the Police, so that together an even safer environment can be ensured, thanking citizens.