Massive police operation nets most wanted man. Mentally ill gunman kills two in Lac.
TIRANA, March 6 – A crime wave involving acts of targeted violence continues in Albania, as police move in to reign perpetrators.
In recent weeks, the use of small amounts of TNT in crimes has grown, sending police to look for the suppliers of what is locally known as “tritol.”
Tuesday police reported they had seized a considerable amount of explosive devices and arrested the owner who allegedly sold them to criminals.
Tafe Balilaj was arrested after police found at his home in Kurtaj village, Malesi e Madhe district, 238 pieces of TNT, 200 meters of wire, 150 detonating capsules, three Kalashnikovs and six boxes with ammunition for them, and also 100 defensive grenades.
Crime wave continues
Earlier this week, the police station in Fushe Kruje was attacked with an explosive device that luckily only damaged to cars there.
In another case the explosive was used at an apartment in capital Tirana, again without any victim but only material damage.
In the northern western town of Lac on Tuesday a person shot dead two men and injured two others. Police said the alleged killer was mentally ill Police has arrested Altin Piroli, 27, in the case. Local media said he had a list of 15 people he wanted to murder, including a judge and prosecutors.
Over the weekend, hundreds of police forces held a nationwide operation arresting some wanted people and also finding drugs and weapons.
Among the arrest there was also Foto Dashi, a person that is among the 100 most wanted in nearby Italy where he is supposed to serve 15 years in prison for favoring prostitution.
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a second security warning to its citizens residing in Albania due to the increased number of explosions in the country, advising on the careful use of the vehicles and parking.
President calls National Security Council
President Bujar Nishani has also decided to call a meeting of the National Security Council next week because of the increased number of explosives used in crimes and the ongoing crime wave.
The parliament speaker, prime minister, foreign, defense, interior, local power, finance and transport ministers, army chief-of-staff and head of the secret police are members of the council. But the president also invited the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, also Tirana mayor, to take part in the meeting.
