Accusations of drug trafficking to Italy/ Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office for Toni Marinaj

Tony Marinaj

CNA has secured the investigative file of the Florence Prosecutor's Office from 2016 for the socialist mayor Tonin Marinaj. (read here) 

The Florence prosecutor's office accuses the mayor of being the head of a criminal organization of international drug trafficking. (read here)

During the investigations carried out 8 years ago, the Prosecutor's Office of Florence sent to court the case for Toni Marinaj, where the socialist mayor is accused of having founded, encouraged and directed an organization of international proportions, based mainly in Tuscany, Venice, Udine and Albania for of marijuana trafficking. (read here)

According to Italian prosecutors, Marinaj followed the entire drug route from production to retail sale. The narcotic substance was obtained in Albania, which after arriving in Italy was handed over to the couriers, who started the distribution on the ground.

In the investigation file, the Italian prosecutors were able to secure meetings and telephone conversations of the mayor of Malësia e Madhe in 2010, who is accused of communicating with members of the criminal gang for drug trafficking. It is even noted in the file that he was photographed during the meetings and telephone conversations were intercepted. 

In the file that the Florence Prosecutor's Office submitted to the court, in a 33-page file, according to the investigators, Tonin Marinaj was caught in wiretapping with another accomplice for drug trafficking, Fred Hysajn. The interceptions belong to the month of July 2010. Ferdinad Paja is also mentioned during the answers. The latter, according to the Florence Prosecutor's Office, in the criminal group led by Marinaj, had the role of wholesale and retail drug distributor. 

Prosecutors have come to the conclusion that Hysaj acted as an intermediary between Fredinand Paja and Toni Marinaj. The conversation between them was about a load of drugs, and during the communications the word "building" was used instead of the word "drugs". Conversations between them take place about the payments that need to be made. 

Interceptions: 

H: Fred Hysaj

T: Tony Marinaj

H: Hello.
T: How are you doing?
H: What are you doing dear, are you ok?
T: How are you?
H : How is the business going?
T: What are you doing?
H: Nothing, listen.
T: Yes.
H: Everything is fine for the palace (drug load), he couldn't come and in these 2 days someone comes there, for... the palace.

T: Po, mirë. Doni të merrni edhe disa apartamente?
H: Po kushëri, hajde ta rregullojme kete me atë të pallatit dhe pastaj është normale ta marr, kupton për këtë arsye?

T: Po, po.
H: Edhe une doja te vija tq bëja.........por përfundoje me kaq kupton?
T: Jo ështe e volitshme i kam dhënë edhe kaparin është....siç po të them....ja vlen të blesh nëse do edhe ti apartament.
H: Dëgjo, edhe ai të telefonoi tre ditë më parë.
T. Po.
H: Mos u shqetëso për atë punë, e kuptoni. Ai donte të të thërriste, por kishte kushërinj të tjerë apo çfarëdo tjetër?

T. Oh po?
H: Në këto 2-3 ditë për atë godinë, ose vjen ai me të cilin folët, ose dërgon dikë, kupton?

T: Këto 2-3 ditë?
H: Po edhe per ata te tjeret mos u shqeteso vetëm më tha qe s'kishte lekë, donte të shihte edhe për tjetrin kupton?
T: Mirë, ajo godina është pranë liqenit artificial, është një zonë e mirë.
H: E di, vetëm faktin që ai nuk kishte para, më tha se do të kujdeset për të.
T: Po
H: Sepse edhe ai mbeti pa punë, kupton?
T: Po.
H: Nëse mund të përfundoni në këto 2-3 ditë ose nëse keni dikë që të lërë depozitën, e kuptoni?
T: Nëse nuk vjen në këto 2-3 ditë, do të dërgoj dikë ta takojë.

H: Mund të dërgoni dikë edhe sot ose nesër, do t'i bënit një nder, kupton? OK, ndihemi si kushërinj... Por kujt i përket telefoni(numri)?
H:Ky është nga ..... nuk është telefon. Unë i them atij të të thërrasë.
T: Mirë kushëriri.
H: Mos më telefono më (bëj një marrëveshje me atë tjetrin)
T: Në rregull, në rregull.
H: Mos u shqeteso, ne do ta marrim pallatin siç fole ti, kjo pune ka mbaruar.
T: Është në rregull kushëriri.

H: Problemi janë paratë, ai dëshiron të shesë edhe atë dyqan që ka, a e kuptoni gjithçka mirë, vetëm problemi është koha (në kuptimin e kohës që duhet për të fituar para).
T: Në rregull.
H. Mos më telefono më e kupton? Nëse nuk vjen, dërgo dikë me makinën dhe festa mbaroi (punë e përfunduar).
T: OK.

CNA do të viojë të publikojë detaje nga dosja hetimore për kryebashkiakut socialist. Gjithçka nisi pas një denoncimi të bërë nga Partia Demokratike, e cila i kërkoi Prokurorisë së Përgjithshme që të verifikojë sipas ligjit të dekriminalizimit kryetarin e Bashkisë së Malësisë së Madhe, Tonin Marinaj. (lexo këtu)

After the request of the DP, the Central Election Commission also started the movements, which on July 11 decided to start the in-depth verification for the socialist mayor. In relation to this issue, CNA has officially addressed the CEC on how these verifications are proceeding and whether it was aware of the investigations against the mayor. 

Regarding this request, there was no lack of reaction from Marinaj himself, who emphasized that everything is a shameful scenario and the accusations are fabricated and political.  (read here)

We emphasize that even after these investigations, Tonin Marinaj has declared in the self-declaration form made on March 24, 2023, that he has never been convicted by a final court decision by any Albanian or foreign judicial authority.

Likewise, the socialist mayor has denied that he was under investigation or trial by a foreign authority for any criminal offense.

CNA has tried several times to communicate with the socialist mayor Tonin Marinaj regarding this issue, but he has not answered our calls./CNA

New details have emerged from the investigation file of the Florence Prosecutor's Office provided by CNA for the mayor of Malësi e Madhe, Tonin Marinaj.

The latter has been accused by the Prosecutor's Office of Florence of having founded and directed an organization of international proportions, based mainly in Tuscany, Venice, Udine and Albania, for the trafficking of marijuana. 

The Prosecutor's Office of Florence completed the investigations in the spring of 2016 and in the file of hundreds of pages that it referred to the court, Marinaj is accused of leading a group that trafficked drugs from Albania to Italy.  (read here)

From the investigations of the prosecutor's office, it was found that the socialist mayor followed the entire route of drugs from production to retail sale. The narcotic substance was obtained in Albania, which after arriving in Italy was handed over to the couriers, who started the distribution on the ground. (read here)

The Prosecutor's Office of Florence was able to secure photos, meetings and telephone conversations of the mayor of Malësi e Madhe, who is accused of having communicated with members of the criminal gang for drug trafficking. It is even noted in the file that he was photographed during meetings and intercepted in telephone conversations. 

According to the Italian prosecutor's office,  on July 17, 2010, Marinaj went to Florence to request logistical support from Lodovick Gjokaj, manager of a bar in the "San Lorenzo" market.  The authorities accuse Marinaj of going to Florence also because of the management of a load of marijuana, as well as to collect the money from the sale of some quantities of drugs.  

"As better described in his personal file, Tonin Marinaj, a few days after the aforementioned phone call, precisely on July 17, 2010, went to Florence, seeking logistical support from Lodovick Gjokaj, manager of a bar in the San Lorenzo market, area of called 'Capella Medici'. The arrival of the Marines in Florence was due to the direct management of the cargo of marijuana deposited in the area of ​​'Via Fratelli Benini' and to manage the collection of money. That day, together with one of his associates, probably the cousin of his wife Lindita, went to Lodovick Gjokaj's bar where he spent time with the latter's brother, Eduard Gjokaj, and then went together with the latter and his companion to the Piazza Salvemini, where he had two phone conversations. In the photo: The man in the striped shirt is Eduard Gjokaj, the man in the blue shirt is Tonin Marinaj, the man in the lilac plant color is Tonin Marinaj's companion," the investigation file states. the Italian prosecution, which is over 200 pages. 

The investigative file also underlines that on July 17, 2010, a person went to Florence to pick up Toni Marinaj at the exit of the Firenze Nord highway. According to the prosecutor's office, these details have emerged from the wiretapping of Eduard Gjoka's phone number.

"After taking Toni Marinaj, he accompanied him to the Lombardy area where he would be met by the person known from the investigation as Artur, who was paid by Toni Marinaj to give instructions to Fredinand Paja regarding the delivery of the money to in connection with a previous group of drugs, which was expected to be delivered on July 19, 2010 in the Florentine territory," the investigative file states, among other things.

We emphasize that CNA will continue to publish all documents of the authorities that it has in relation to these investigations. Until the moment of the publication of the investigative file of the Italian authorities, CNA has tried several times to communicate with the socialist mayor, Tonin Marinaj, regarding this issue, but he has not answered our calls.

It all started after a denunciation made by the Democratic Party, which asked the General Prosecutor's Office to verify, according to the decriminalization law, the mayor of Malësë e Madhe, Tonin Marinaj. (read here)

After the request of the DP, the Central Election Commission also started the movements, which on July 11 decided to start the in-depth verification for the socialist mayor. In relation to this issue, CNA has officially addressed the CEC on how these verifications are proceeding and whether it was aware of the investigations against the mayor. We have not yet received an official response.

After these investigations, Tonin Marinaj has declared in the self-declaration form made on March 24, 2023, that he has never been convicted by a final judicial decision by any Albanian or foreign judicial authority.

Likewise, the socialist mayor has denied that he was under investigation or trial by a foreign authority for any criminal offense. /CNA 

Tony Marinaj

8 years ago, in 2016, the head of the Municipality of Malësia e Madhe, Tonin Marinaj, was accused by the Fierence Prosecutor's Office in Italy of having founded, encouraged and directed an organization of international proportions, based mainly in Tuscany, Venice, Udine and in Albania to traffic marijuana. 

CNA has secured the investigative file and a court decision regarding the mayor of Malësi e Madhe. (read here)

In the voluminous file with dozens of pages, prosecutor Giulio Monferin , during the investigations carried out, on March 29, 2016, brought charges against 8 people for a criminal organization with international dimensions for trafficking in narcotics, marijuana, including Tonin Marinaj. 

From the investigations of the prosecution, it was found that Marinaj followed the entire drug route from production to retail sale. The narcotic substance was obtained in Albania, which after arriving in Italy was handed over to the couriers, who started the distribution on the ground.

Tonin Marinaj, the "head" of the criminal gang. The quantities of drugs that were transported from Albania to Italy

Among the persons under investigation as part of the drug gang led by Tonin Marinaj were: Gamuzza Stefania, Rini Marku, Frederik Marku, Ferdinand Paja, Bruno Nika, Saimir Hamazi and Bep Gjoni. 

From the investigations of the Italian prosecutor's office, it was found that on June 6, 2010, this gang trafficked 11 kilograms of marijuana. After arriving in Italy, the drugs were handed over to Frederik Mark, who would then sell them to third parties. 

Meanwhile, during several years of investigations, it has been found that Tonin Marinaj has ensured the importation into the Italian territory and the distribution of drugs to associates Fredinand Paja, Rini Marku, Frederik Marku and Ingrit Livazhi , of about 50 kilograms of marijuana, part of a larger quantity stored in Florence . 

Prosecution investigations, submitted to the Court of Florence

According to the Florence Prosecutor's Office, the quantities of drugs were not small. This criminal group led by Toni Marinaj has trafficked 75 kilograms of marijuana to Italy. 

"Director Tonin Marinaj organized and directed the importation into Italian territory and the distribution to collaborators for subsequent trading, Fredinand Paja, Rini Marku, Frederik Marku, Fred Hysaj, of no less than 75 kilograms of marijuana. This quantity of drugs was stored in Florence, in the hands of the CARDAKU GAMUZZA couple," the investigative file states, among other things. 

Prosecution investigations, submitted to the Court of Florence

In relation to these investigations, CNA has tried several times to communicate with the socialist mayor Tonin Marinaj regarding this issue, but he has not answered our calls.

CNA will continue to publish all documents of the authorities in its possession related to these investigations.

We emphasize that even after these investigations, Tonin Marinaj has declared in the self-declaration form made on March 24, 2023, that he has never been convicted by a final judicial decision by any Albanian or foreign judicial authority.

Likewise, the socialist mayor has denied that he was under investigation or trial by a foreign authority for any criminal offense. 

So, he denies that he was investigated by the Italian authorities for international marijuana traffic from Albania to Italy, while the Italian documents show the opposite./CNA 

Tony Marinaj

The socialist mayor, Tonin Marinaj, is accused by the Florence Prosecutor's Office of international drug trafficking.  CNA has secured the investigative file of the Florence Prosecutor's Office as well as a court decision for Toni Marinaj, even though the latter has publicly denied the investigations by the Italian authorities. (read here)

In the file of the Italian authorities dated March 29, 2016, which bears the signature of the prosecutor Giulio Monferini, charges have been brought against 8 people for a criminal organization of international proportions for the trafficking of narcotics, marijuana. Among the persons under investigation is Tonin Marinaj, while the others are: Gamuzza Stefania, Rini Marku, Frederik Marku, Ferdinand Paja, Bruno Nika, Saimir Hamazi and Bep Gjoni. 

Italian court document

The Prosecutor's Office of Fierence accuses Toni Marinaj of having founded, incited and directed an organization of international proportions, based mainly in Tuscany, Venice, Udine and in Albania, to traffic marijuana. The case has gone to court.

Italian court document

What did Tonin Marinaj declare in the self-declaration form?

In the self-declaration form made on March 24, 2023, the socialist mayor stated that he has never been convicted by a final judicial decision by any Albanian or foreign judicial authority.

Likewise, the socialist mayor has denied that he was under investigation or trial by a foreign authority for any criminal offense. 

So, he denies that he was investigated by the Italian authorities for international marijuana traffic from Albania to Italy, while the Italian documents show the opposite. 

CNA has tried several times to communicate with the socialist mayor Tonin Marinaj regarding this issue, but he has not answered our calls.

The purpose of the phone calls was to get a statement from Mr. Marinaj about the charges brought by the Italian authorities and how the case continued after 2016./ CNA  

Tonin Marinaj, the mayor of Malësi e Madhe

A few weeks ago, the Democratic Party asked the General Prosecutor's Office to verify, according to the decriminalization law, the mayor of Malësë e Madhe, Tonin Marinaj.

According to the DP, the Prosecutor's Office of Florence accuses Marinaj of being the head of a criminal organization of international drug trafficking, and the head of the Municipality of Malësia e Madhe hid these investigations in the self-declaration form. 

In relation to this request, there was no lack of reaction from Marinaj himself, who emphasized that everything is a shameful scenario and the accusations are fabricated and political. 

He emphasized that he is open to any institution such as the CEC, the prosecutor's office, the HSC and SPAK to start investigations or verifications about his figure. Thus, he denies the DP's accusations. 

"I was surprised by the weak script, written or inspired by some scoundrel, a script that also reveals the purpose for which it was created. Next year, there are elections and the Great Highlands and the Highlanders will vote for their government, of course to reconfirm this majority and Prime Minister Edi Rama. I would not have bothered to answer you nongratas who are trying to create a scenario of slander in Malësi Madhe. But I feel an obligation to all the residents of Malësi Madhe not mine, obligation to the Socialist Party, the president and Prime Minister Edi Rama, to my colleagues, to relatives, friends and acquaintances and of course to my family to declare: With the greatest disgust and contempt I reject not only this scenario of shameful, unbelievable and ridiculous, but every attack and accusation made against me, the Municipality of Malësi e Madhe and my citizens. I am open to any institution such as the CEC, the prosecutor's office, the KLSH, SPAK or any other local organization and stranger to review any information at my direction. I offer my maximum cooperation to facilitate his work with a single goal: All the truths will be revealed and the promiscuous mouth of slander will be closed to every person, whether or not a member or leader of one of the DPs" , he emphasized in his reaction. 

After the DP's request, the Central Election Commission also started its movements, which on July 11 decided to start the in-depth verification for the socialist mayor. 

After the political accusations made by the DP, CNA has secured the investigative file of the Fierence Prosecutor's Office as well as a court decision for Toni Marinaj, even though the latter has publicly denied the investigations by the Italian authorities. 

In the voluminous file with dozens of pages, prosecutor Giulio Monferini, during the investigations carried out on March 29, 2016, brought charges against 8 people for a criminal organization with international dimensions for trafficking in narcotics, marijuana.

Among the persons under investigation is Tonin Marinaj, while the others are: Gamuzza Stefania, Rini Marku, Frederik Marku, Ferdinand Paja, Bruno Nika, Saimir Hamazi and Bep Gjoni. 

Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office

Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office

Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office

In 2016, during the investigations carried out 8 years ago, the Prosecutor's Office of Florence sent to court the case of  Toni Marinaj, where the socialist mayor is accused of having founded, encouraged and directed an organization of international proportions, based mainly in Tuscany, Venice, Udine and in Albania for marijuana trafficking. 

Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office

How did the criminal gang work?

According to the Florence Prosecutor's Office, Tonin Marinaj was the head and founder of the criminal organization, which had subgroups of the organization on the ground led by Bruno Nika, Arenco Pogu, Silvia Piemonte.

The last three people also take care of the family members of the group, in case the latter would be arrested by the police. They also provided the firearms, communications between the group, and the codes they used during conversations. 

From the investigations of the prosecution, it was found that Marinaj followed the entire drug route from production to retail sale.  The narcotic substance was obtained in Albania, which after arriving in Italy was handed over to the couriers, who started the distribution on the ground.

Rini Marku, together with his brother Frederik Marku and Ferdionand Paja,  managed the wholesale and retail distribution of drugs. 

Bruno Nika, in the role of courier, transported the narcotics from Florence to Venice. 

Stefania Gamuzza together with another person, Danjel Cardaku, had to store the narcotic substance and the task of distributing the narcotic substance to different buyers. 

Italian court document

Italian court document

"According to the information, the episodes of marijuana-type narcotic trafficking are described in detail, as well as the collaborators for carrying out this activity, namely: (i) The first episode: The head of the criminal organization Tonin Marinaj organized and directed the importation into Italian territory and the distribution to the members of 50 kilograms of marijuana in Florence, on 29.05.2010; (ii) The second episode: the head of the organization Tonin Marinaj organized and directed the importation to the Italian territory and distribution to the members for sale of no less than 75 kilograms of marijuana, in Florence, on 14.06.2010; (iii) The third episode: the head of the organization, Tonin Marinaj, organized and directed the importation into Italian territory and the distribution to members of 42 kilograms of marijuana, part of a quantity of 388 kilograms of marijuana stored in Florence , in Florence, on 23.07.2010. During the control carried out by the Police, a 9 mm pistol and 100 grams of cocaine were found in this warehouse," the prosecutor's file states. 

Investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office

Judgment of the Court of Florence

A court session for the 8 defendants was held on May 12, 2016, this judge Angelo Antonio Pezzuti scheduled the next session to take place on October 13, 2016. Tonin Marinaj had not been caught by the Italian authorities and would be tried in absentia. 

Judgment of the Court of Florence

Even in the court's decision, it is emphasized that Tonin Marinaj is accused of being the leader, organizer and instigator of the criminal organization engaged in the trafficking of marijuana-type narcotics.

Judgment of the Court of Florence

Judgment of the Court of Florence

Until the moment of publication of this article, CNA has tried several times to communicate with the socialist mayor Tonin Marinaj regarding this issue, but he has not answered our calls.

The purpose of the phone calls was to get a statement from Mr. Marinaj about the accusations raised by the Italian authorities and how the case continued after 2016. We have requested communication with him more than 4-5 times, but he does not respond.

The fact is that PD has accused him, the mayor says they are political charges, CNA publishes the documents for the investigations of the Italian prosecutor's office, which also includes the mayor of Malësisa e Madhe, who instead of clarifying his position on this matter, has chosen to politicize that. CNA will continue to publish all documents of the authorities it has in relation to this matter./CNA