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SPAK concludes investigations into human trafficking criminal network/ Sends 5 people for trial

2025-10-22 09:52:00, Aktualitet CNA

SPAK concludes investigations into human trafficking criminal network/ Sends 5

SPAK concludes investigations into a criminal network of illegal trafficking to the US, 5 defendants sent for trial

The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime completed the investigations and sent on 21.10.2025 to the Special Court of First Instance, the request for the trial of criminal proceedings no. 135 of 2023, against the defendants:

Luc Melaj, accused of committing criminal offenses and charged with: "Assistance in illegal border crossing" for profit purposes committed in the form of a structured criminal group, "Forgery of identity cards, passports and visas", committed in the form of a structured criminal group, "Structured criminal group" in the form of management and "Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group", provided for by articles 298/2 and 28/4; 189/1 and 28/4, as well as 333/a/1 and 334/1; “Aid for illegal border crossing”, committed in collaboration and more than once, provided for by Article 298/3 of the Criminal Code, “Exercise of illegal influence”, committed twice, provided for by Article 245/1, paragraph three, of the Criminal Code and “Unauthorized possession of combat ammunition”, provided for by Article 278/3 of the Criminal Code.

Gëzim Camaj, accused of committing the criminal offenses, "Aid for illegal border crossing" committed in collaboration and more than once, provided for by Article 298/3 of the Criminal Code and "Exercising illegal influence over persons exercising public functions", provided for by Article 245/1, third paragraph of the Criminal Code.

Emanuel Melaj, accused of committing the criminal offense of "Aid for Illegal Border Crossing" committed in collaboration provided for by Article 298/3 of the Criminal Code.

Tonin Melaj, accused of committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", provided for by Article 248 of the Criminal Code.

Bashkim Çokaj, accused of committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", provided for by Article 248 of the Criminal Code.

Criminal facts:

Preliminary investigation data has proven the existence of a criminal group, mainly composed of Albanian citizens, led by the defendant, Luc Melaj. This group has organized the illegal crossing of the Albanian border of at least 25 people, all Albanian citizens, who have illegally entered the territory of the United States. This criminal activity, carried out from mid-2022 to July 2024, was carried out by more than three people and was premeditated, well-organized and with a specific division of roles.

This criminal activity consisted of:

Meetings that have taken place in Albania, with persons who have requested to travel abroad or with their families, where the travel itinerary and the payments that must be made are clarified, which range from 40,000-45,000 dollars per person. The applicants are mainly from Malësia e Madhe, Shkodra, Lezha, Tropoja, with mainly family ties to persons living in the USA.
Providing forged identification documents, mainly French, which are given to the persons traveling, after they arrive in Spain and the smooth running of their journey by air to Mexico;
Receiving and accommodating them in Mexico and transporting them by land to the United States of America.
The defendant, Emanuel Melaj, is also involved in this criminal activity, who was aware of this activity and provided his assistance in booking the tickets, sending them to the relevant addresses as well as transferring the money.

The evidence collected also documented cases where the defendants, Luc Melaj and Gëzim Camaj, illegally transported Albanian citizens by not documenting their passage during entry and exit to Montenegro. Also, through the defendant's assistant, Tonin Melaj and Bashkim Çokaj, police officers, employed at the Hani i Hoti border crossing points, non-registration in the relevant systems was carried out for citizens who had problems with residence in EU countries, as well as for other citizens who are asylum seekers in; Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA, with various motivations.

The investigations for this criminal proceeding were conducted in close cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Diplomatic Security Service, the Office of Criminal Investigations Abroad at the United States Embassy in Tirana, the General Directorate of the State Police, the "Common Shield" Special Unit, as well as the Shkodra Local Police Directorate.

Investigations continue for other persons involved in these illegal activities./ Continues...

 





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