TIRANA, Sep. 14 – Tirana police reported they had arrested six persons and blocked 50,000 fake euros they intended to throw into the black market.
The Graniti 2 operation followed a 16-month investigation and police believe the fake money were coming from neighboring Macedonia.
Ndrek Bicuku, 54, Shk쭱im Bufi, 40, Dashamir Shehi, 40, Thanas Xhuxhi, 57, Edmond Shehi, 31, and Ilir Kolo Prifti, 56, were arrested at the Tirana Customs area.
Police reported the false euro were in 100 banknotes.
Police added they were continuing investigation to identify other involved persons in such a criminal activity.
A day later police reported the arrest of five more persons involved in such a traffic.
Police said that the number of persons arrested in two operations codenamed Granit 1 and Granit 2 has reached 25 and the total value of the false money confiscated has been 120,000 euros.
They also said they had found other material, some copied checks with the value of $40 million and 200,000 euros.
Police finds counterfeit euros
Change font size:
Recommended Articles
Latest from News
Opposition Calls for Rama’s Resignation Over Corruption
Change font size: - + Reset Tirana protest unfolds amid EU concerns over shrinking parliamentary oversight. TIRANA, May 08, 2026 — Albania’s opposition staged a national protest in Tirana on Friday evening,
Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth
Change font size: - + Reset From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices
Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay
Change font size: - + Reset Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain
Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy
Change font size: - + Reset V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group.
Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran
Change font size: - + Reset Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has