British police arrive to increase cooperation
TIRANA, Jan. 19 – A delegation of British police is visiting Albania to meet with all top Albanian counterparts to further deepen ties between the two institutions.
Albania’s top policemen, Hysni Burgaj, met with Gary Lindon to discuss on the already successful cooperation the two counties have, which has resulted in many joint operations and the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in general.
They discussed how to further increase exchange of information and experience in many areas.
Police officers arrested for taking bribes
FIER, Jan. 18 – Police reported that nine traffic police officers were arrested in the southwestern city of Fier following several months of investigation on bribery and corruption charges.
“The officers are accused of corruption, suspected of receiving bribes on the Lushnja-Fier-Vlora road in order to forgive fines for drivers,” the General Police Directorate said in a statement.
Eight other officers from the same district are also under investigation on the same charges.
The Joint Investigative Unit to Fight Economic Crime and Corruption which started the investigation includes prosecutors, police officers, intelligence, customs and tax officials and began two years ago with its first office in Tirana.
Greek protest causes havoc in Albanian border
TIRANA, Jan. 17 – Protesting farmers, who caused road disruption in central and northern Greece over the weekend after parking their tractors at major junctions, also caused problems at the border crossing points with Albania.
The farmers have threatened to maintain roadblocks, which are already causing serious disruptions for motorists, and to set up new ones starting today at major crossings at Greece’s borders with Turkey, Bulgaria, Albania and FYROM.
Northern Ireland in friendly match with Albania
TIRANA, Jan. 18 – Northern Ireland will travel to play Albania in a friendly international match on March 3rd.
The kick-off time for the match against a club currently ranked 96th in the Fifa world rankings has yet to be confirmed.
The last time Northern Ireland played Albania was in a World Cup qualifier in Zurich on 10 September, 1997.
That match ended in a 1-0 defeat and was Bryan Hamilton’s last game as boss.
Coach Nigel Worthington has verbally agreed to a new contract to manage Northern Ireland during the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Police hit drug dealers
TIRANA, Jan. 18 – Police cotinued to keep a close eye on the efforts of drug traffickers in the country. Consequenctly, they have made several arrests of potential or alleged drug dealers.
Last week they sequestered four kilogrms of cannabis sativa and arrested two persons considered as traffickers.
The polcie operation, codenamed Qerret, arrested Leonard Faskaj, 32, and Liridon Hyla, 20 while they were driving a car near the village of Qerret in Kavaja district. The drugs were found in their car.
While checking one of the suspects’ house police also found three grams of cocaine.
In another move police arrested Klevis Shpetim Resto, 20, for allegedly producing and selling drugs. He was arrested after police found two bags with some 107 grams of drugs.
Embassy holds blood drive
TIRANA, Jan. 18 – In conjunction with the Red Cross of Albania, the United States Embassy’s health unit sponsored its 6th blood drive on Jan. 8, collecting 25 units of blood.
These will support the ongoing needs of the National Blood Bank, which relies on donations.
Over 500 Albanian children have thalessemia, a genetic defect that requires them to have blood transfusions every three weeks to sustain their lives.
Blood donations also support those who lose blood in surgery, childbirth, or because of trauma.
In Albania, less than 20% of donors are volunteers. Most blood comes from paid donors or those who are directed to donate for a family member who is in need. Those who donate voluntarily are helping to model the international standard.
