"Rama's state drug lords, a great danger"/ Berisha: We must create special groups for cartels

2026-07-14 11:50:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Rama's state drug lords, a great danger"/ Berisha: We must

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, delivered his speech at the General Assembly of the IDC-CDI, the largest center-right political organization in the world, where he holds the position of vice-president.

During his speech, Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha proposed the establishment of a special working group on drug and crime cartels and their ties to the government.

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, declared that Edi Rama's narco-state has become a great danger for the country and that Albania no longer organizes elections, but only electoral farces.

The Center-Right Democratic Organization held its General Assembly in Brussels on July 13, 2026.

“First of all, I would like to thank you and the CDI for the very valuable and unwavering support you have given to the Democratic Party of Albania and my country. Your support has been a great help. Also, the support of the EPP, the IDU and the AFET reports has been very important. The reports of the IDU, the CDI, the EPP and the AFET have been very useful in shedding light on the dramatic developments in my country.

Albania is one of the most powerful narco-states in the world. It is governed by criminal organizations.

I would like to draw your attention to just one piece of information, to understand where my country is. In Albania, the euro, one of the largest and strongest currencies on the planet, has depreciated by 32% over the last 10 years. In Mexico, this depreciation is 17%. Meanwhile, the only other depreciation of the euro in Europe has occurred in Switzerland, about 10% or 8%, with an economy of 1 trillion euros. While Albania's economy is only 15 billion euros.

Albania is the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe, while Albanian drug cartels are the largest transporters of cocaine from Latin American countries to Europe, probably, and perhaps to other destinations as well.

Our ports are completely in the hands of the drug cartels. Completely. For five years or more, not a single kilogram of drugs has been seized in our ports, because they are controlled by the drug cartels.

The drug cartels in my country have in their hands all the building permits and all the control over the coastal areas.

A few days ago, you may be aware, a very strong popular movement is taking place in my country during this period. But a few days ago, a special book was published entitled "The Red Book, the Secret Files of Albania". This book deals with 523 major projects in the most beautiful landscapes of Albania, on the coast or in the mountainous areas, about which no one was aware.

The Prime Minister, the head of the criminal organization, considers the country as his fiefdom, like a sultan from past centuries, who can decide everything. Most of these projects are taken out of protected areas.

Therefore, Mr. President, I believe that our organizations should create a special working group on drug cartels, narco-states and trafficking. This would be a great help, because such countries are not only dangerous for themselves, but they are dangerous for the region and even beyond.

"I will not go on any further, because time is limited. But I consider that in my country there are no elections; there is only farce. They decide everything," said Berisha./ CNA