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The Special Court today issued a verdict for 13 people accused of drug trafficking as part of a structured criminal group.
Among these individuals is Gëzim Çelaj, known as the “drug baron”. The GJKKO has found Çelaj guilty of committing the criminal offense of “Narcotics Trafficking” and “Structured Criminal Group”. In the aggregate, the defendant Gëzim Çelaj is sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The other defendants are Arlind Ismajlukaj, Gezim Çelaj, Nerim Çela, Armando Mema, Dritan Metaj, Ben Dalipaj, Besnik Brokeri, Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda), Selami Lushkaj, Ksenofon Bodo, Kyrylo Ponomarenko, Kostiantyn Biellon and Armando Papa. The decision was given by a panel of judges composed of judges Elsa Ulliri, Rudina Palloj and Erjon Bani.
Full announcement:
The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has submitted to the Court the request with the subject: “Trial of the criminal case against the defendants Arlind Ismajlukaj, Gezim Çelaj, Nerim Çela, Armando Mema, Dritan Metaj, Ben Dalipaj, Besnik Brokeri, Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda), Selami Lushkaj, Ksenofon Bodo, Kyrylo Ponomarenko, Kostiantyn Biellon and Armando Papa”. 2. The trial of this case was conducted under the rules of summary trial.
At the end of the trial, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Elsa Ulliri, Rudina Palloj and Erjon Bani, with decision no. 74, dated 21.11.2025, decided:
1. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Arlind Ismajlukaj for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 13 years of imprisonment.
2. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Arlind Ismajlukaj for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, first paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 4 years of imprisonment.
3. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Arlind Ismajlukaj is sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.
4. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Arlind Ismajlukaj is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 9 years and 4 months of imprisonment.
5. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 15.08.2023, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 "On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees".
6. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Gezim Çelaj for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 14 years of imprisonment.
7. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Gezim Çelaj for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, first paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 5 years of imprisonment.
8. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Gezim Çelaj is sentenced to 15 years in prison.
9. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Gezim Çelaj is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
10. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 07.03.2024, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 "On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees".
11. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Nerim Çela for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
12. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Nerim Çela for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
13. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Nerim Çela for committing the criminal offense of "Unauthorized possession and production of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition", provided for by Article 278, paragraph four of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
14. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in concurrence of sentences, the defendant Nerim Çela is sentenced to 12 years and 6 months of imprisonment.
15. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Nerim Çela is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years and 4 months of imprisonment.
16. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 16.08.2023, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 "On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees".
17. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Armando Mema for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by article 283/a, first paragraph, article 28, point 4 and article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
18. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Armando Mema for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
19. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Armando Mema is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
20. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Armando Mema is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
21. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 15.08.2023, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 "On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees".
22. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Dritan Metaj for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
23. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Dritan Metaj for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
24. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Dritan Metaj is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. 25. In application of Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Dritan Metaj is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
26. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 09.10.2023, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 "On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees".
27. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Ben Dalipaj for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
28. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Ben Dalipaj for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
29. In application of Article 55 of the Penal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Ben Dalipaj is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
30. Pursuant to Article 406, paragraph 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Ben Dalipaj is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
31. The sentence shall begin to be served from the moment of execution of this decision and shall be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
32. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Besnik Brokeri for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
33. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Besnik Brokeri for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
34. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Besnik Brokeri is sentenced to 12 years in prison.
35. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Besnik Brokeri is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. 36. The sentence shall begin to be served from the moment of arrest, date 15.08.2023, and shall be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
37. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda) for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
38. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda) for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
39. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in concurrence of sentences, the defendant Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda) is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
40. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Alket Deda (alias Dritan Deda) is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
41. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 30.04.2024, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
42. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Selami Lushkaj for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
43. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Selami Lushkaj for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
44. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Selami Lushkaj is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
45. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Selami Lushkaj is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. 46. The sentence shall begin to be served from the moment of arrest, date 30.04.2024, and shall be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
47. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Xenofon Bodo for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
48. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Xenofon Bodo for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
49. In application of Article 55 of the Penal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Xenofon Bodo is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
50. Pursuant to Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Xenofon Bodo is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
51. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 30.04.2024, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
52. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Kyrylo Ponomarenko for committing the criminal offense "Drug trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
53. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Kyrylo Ponomarenko for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
54. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Kyrylo Ponomarenko is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. 55. In application of Article 406, point 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Kyrylo Ponomarenko is sentenced to 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being finally sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
56. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 15.08.2023, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
57. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Kostiantyn Biellon for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by Article 283/a, first paragraph, Article 28, point 4 and Article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of Article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
58. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Kostiantyn Biellon for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by Article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
59. In application of Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Kostiantyn Biellon is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
60. Pursuant to Article 406, paragraph 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Kostiantyn Biellon is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
61. The sentence begins to be served from the moment of arrest, date 15.08.2025, and will be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”.
62. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Armando Papa for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", committed in collaboration, in the special form, that of a structured criminal group, remaining in the attempt, provided for by article 283/a, first paragraph, article 28, point 4 and article 22 of the Criminal Code and in application of article 334, point 1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 years of imprisonment.
63. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Armando Papa for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", provided for by article 333/a, second paragraph, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 2 years of imprisonment.
64. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Armando Papa for committing the criminal offense of "Unlicensed production, possession, purchase or sale of cold weapons", provided for by Article 279, paragraph two of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 1 year in prison.
65. In application of Article 55 of the Penal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the defendant Armando Papa is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
66. Pursuant to Article 406, paragraph 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant Armando Papa is reduced by 1/3 (one third) of the sentence given, being ultimately sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment.
67. The sentence shall begin to be served from the moment of arrest, dated 01.04.2023, and shall be served in a high-security prison pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 81/2020 “On the rights and treatment of prisoners and detainees”. 68. Pursuant to Article 190, point 1, letter “a” of the Criminal Procedure Code, the two firearms and cartridges seized from citizen Nerim Cela, according to the minutes “On the seizure of items”, dated 15.08.2023, as well as the cold weapon, knife, seized from citizen Armando Papa, shall be transferred to the state.
69. The narcotics, seized on 15.08.2023, shall be destroyed pursuant to Article 190, point 1, letter "b" of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
70. The seized items and other material evidence shall remain in storage for the purpose of adjudicating the separate criminal case and the property proceedings.
71. Procedural costs in the preliminary investigation phase as well as court costs are borne by the defendants jointly and severally.
72. An appeal against this decision is allowed to the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, within 15 days, starting from the day after the communication of the reasoned decision. / CNA
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