Basha says ‘new information emerging’ on drugs allegations

TIRANA, May 8 – Opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Monday at his meeting with the party leadership and the lawmakers that the parliamentary commission investigating allegations that military structures were used for illegal drugs trafficing should start work rapidly.
“New information is emerging, fresh accusations are being deposited, there are new indications reported by official sources and from our partners working together with Albanians. All these are supported by new evidence from eyewitnesses on the routes of drug transport, to collection points for trucks, speedboats and planes,” Basha said.
The opposition has accused the government and the army of being involved in such traffic with planes landing at the Gjader former military air base and other national roads in the south.
The army chief of staff denied the accusations, saying no planes have been seen in the radars, including those of the NATO which cover Albania’s airspace.
Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli has also strongly denied such an accusation and has also urged prosecutor’s office to start an investigation.
In another move last week, the military put cement blocks at Gjader to make the runway unusable, a move which was immediately considered by the opposition as “admission of guilt” and proving their charges.
Kodheli said in a talk show last week that such accusations have damaged not only the ministry but also Albania’s honor as a NATO member.
She said the accusations were part of a political setup to attract the attention of the public after the current government accused its predecessors, including former minister Arben Imami of abusing with the public money, cases that have been sent to the prosecutor’s office for investigation.
Kodheli also said that there have been indications for such traffic before they came to power in September last year.