BREAKING NEWS / Illegal gambling uncovered in Korçë. 1 arrested and 14 criminal proceedings initiated. Here is the police statement

Korçë Local Police Directorate / Checks continue across the entire territory of Korçë County to identify and crack down on illegal activities.

The police operation codenamed “Organizatori” has been finalized.

The owner of a bar who was organizing gambling activities and distributing narcotic substances of the cocaine type inside the premises has been arrested.

Fourteen citizens have been criminally prosecuted for failure to report a crime, and three others for actions obstructing the discovery of the truth.

A police officer has also been criminally prosecuted, and the Directorate of Professional Standards within the State Police has initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.

Cocaine, sums of money, one vehicle, eight mobile phones, gambling cards, and chips used for gambling activities have been seized.

As a result of checks and operational work carried out under the special action plan “For cracking down on criminal activities in the field of organizing online sports betting,” services of the Korçë Police Commissariat, supported by the “Shqiponjat” Operational Forces, the Narcotics Investigation Section of the Korçë Local Police Directorate, and the Police Oversight Agency, Korçë–Elbasan Region, finalized the operation codenamed “Organizatori.”

As a result, citizen A. R., 57 years old, resident of Korçë, was arrested in flagrante delicto for the criminal offenses “Organizing or exercising gambling activities in violation of the law,” “Making premises available for illegal gambling,” and “Production and sale of narcotics.”

During the inspection carried out by police services at his bar in the village of Bulgarec, Korçë, it was found that the 57-year-old had adapted the premises for gambling activities and for the sale and use of drugs.

Meanwhile, at the counter, 14 doses of suspected cocaine were found and seized as material evidence, and during the examination of his mobile phone, active pages for sports betting were discovered.

During the police intervention in this premises, several individuals attempted to hide evidence, and as a result of procedural actions, the materials were referred to the Prosecution, where criminal proceedings were initiated for the offense “Actions obstructing the discovery of the truth” against the following citizens:

R. K., resident of Korçë

F. A., resident of Vinçan village, Korçë

H. M., resident of Vloçisht village, Maliq

Additionally, materials were referred to the Prosecution, where criminal proceedings were initiated for the offense “Failure to report a crime” against 14 other citizens who, despite having knowledge of this illegal activity, did not report it to the police authorities.

Because he was present in this premises and failed to fulfill the obligations arising from his duty, materials were referred to the Prosecution, where criminal proceedings were initiated for the offense “Abuse of office” against citizen D. L., a police officer at the Kapshticë Border Crossing Point. At the same time, disciplinary proceedings were also initiated against him.

At the conclusion of the operation, as material evidence, 14 doses of suspected cocaine, a sum of money in lekë, euros, pounds, and Turkish lira, one vehicle, eight mobile phones, gambling cards, and chips used for gambling activities were seized.

The procedural materials were referred to the Korçë Prosecution for further action.

“KORÇA BOOM”