Gambling groups are hit/ 116 arrested, 253 illegal points identified

2023-12-07 11:32:00, Aktualitet CNA

The General Director of the State Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, during a statement to the media, said that during the national operation against gambling, 116 people were arrested and 89 others are under investigation.

During the action, 253 illegal points were identified where gambling activities are carried out.

Muhamet Rrumbullaku's full statement:

In implementation of the operational plan for preventing, documenting and cracking down on cases of this illegal activity, throughout the country, the police mega-operation coded "Rule of Law" has continued against the illegal organization of gambling.

The first phase took place from November 25 to November 30, while the second phase took place from December 1 to the evening of December 6.

During the 2 phases of this operation, 1,078 bars and other premises were checked, in which gambling was suspected to be organized, of which illegalities in this area were found in 253, and 1,895 citizens were also checked.

As a result of these controls, 181 cases were identified and dealt with, for which 210 citizens were criminally prosecuted, of which: 116 citizens were arrested in the act, 89 citizens were prosecuted in a free state, and the work continues to capture 5 other citizens. Only during yesterday evening, 102 citizens were arrested and 68 others were processed at large.

During the checks, the following were seized: 4 poker tables, with suitcases of chips and gambling cards, 184 mobile phones, 25 computer units, dice, 174,000 lek, 20,434 euros and 11,360 pounds used for gambling, as well as quantity of cannabis, combat ammunition, 1 air pistol, 1 cutting tool (knife) and 1 vehicle.

In cooperation with the prosecutions of the General Jurisdiction, the work continues for the identification and prosecution of other citizens implicated in this illegal activity.

The recent mega-operations and consecutive operations by the State Police, as a result of which hundreds of firearms, narcotics (heroin, cocaine, cannabis and synthetic drugs) and ammunition have been seized, as well as attempted trafficking of drugs and weapons and cases of smuggling of goods, the successful coping of the tourist season, the intensive attack on the cultivation of cannabis sativa, the Package for Safety in Schools, the operational plan "Filizat", for checks in kindergartens and nurseries, have increased the most parameters of security in the country and have improved the image of the Police, among citizens and international partners.

Also, the selection of the State Police, in the competition with 64 other international police agencies, as the best international partner of the British counterparts, the honor with the title "Excellence 2023", the awards and other numerous assessments for the State Police, from all international partners testify to the increase in the professionalism, commitment and dedication of the State Police, but above all, they testify that the State Police is already a reliable and equal partner with the police of the Euro-Atlantic countries.

Dear citizens, first of all, on behalf of the State Police, I want to express my gratitude for your support and trust, during the fulfillment of our duties in order to guarantee public order and security, as well as for fighting illegalities, in every form of their appearance.

At the same time, I want to guarantee you that the State Police is determined to further the process of self-cleansing, in cooperation with the Police Oversight Agency, in order to create a police force with high moral and professional integrity, which will bring an increase in citizens' trust in the State Police and, consequently, better results for the prevention and attack of crime.

Also, the State Police is fully committed to strengthening cooperation with law enforcement agencies inside and outside the country, in order to combat organized crime and terrorism.

Finally, I take the opportunity to thank the prosecutions of the General Jurisdiction and the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime, for the excellent cooperation in the fight against crime./ CNA