TIRANA, Aug. 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama told a meeting of the anti-cannabis task force this week steps in the fight against drug cultivation and trafficking should include investigating unjustifiable assets suspected to be funded with drug profits and seizing these assets if a legitimate source of income cannot be verified.
Authorities already seize or freeze assets either proven or suspected to have been gained through crime, but Rama said things like luxurious cars with people who have never had a legitimate job seem to challenge the law in its face. Real estate and businesses used to cover income will also be a target, Rama said.
About €50 million worth of vehicles, houses and businesses have already been seized by authorities as part of their efforts against the drug business, officials said.
Rama said strong results were needed out the implementation of the national plan for the fight to prevent cannabis cultivation and trafficking in the country.
The prime minister also urged police heads to weed out the bad apples in their ranks.
“The criminals’ strength derives from the presence of traitors within the State Police ranks, traitors who must always be taught a deserved and extreme lesson. There is no chance for blue uniforms to play in two teams,” Rama said.
Under fire from the political opposition for the massive cultivation of marijuana across Albania in 2016, Rama said 2017 has been a successful year in the fight against cannabis, with lowest cultivation levels since 1991.
National Police Chief Haki à‡ako said cooperation off all law enforcement agencies in the country had helped identify cannabis cultivators and criminally prosecute corrupt police or administration officials.
