Illegal constructions: 3 police officers arrested for abuse of office; the owners of “Copacabana” and the chief inspector of the TPI declared wanted

New details have emerged regarding last night’s operation in Sarandë against illegal constructions carried out under the order of the Prosecution where 12 security measures were issued, 4 for police officers, 4 for officials of the Territorial Protection Inspectorate in Sarandë and 4 for businessmen.

The Police Oversight Agency announced that besides Kristofor Shkrepa, Kastriot Sotka was also arrested, both placed under the measure “arrest in prison” while Blerim Tafçiu was placed under “house arrest”, all accused of the criminal offense of “abuse of office” committed more than once.

This operation is a continuation of the one undertaken on May 15 in the coastal area where the beach bar “Copacabana” was discovered and demolished, leading to the dismissal of the leadership of the Sarandë Police Commissariat because they had allegedly turned a blind eye to the illegal activity in exchange for bribes.

Security measures were also issued for the owners of “Copacabana”, Arjola Dhrami Bajo and Xhaferr Bajo, as well as for the owner of the “Oasis” hotel, Alqi Papa, who has been arrested. In this hotel, the Prosecution confiscated a suspected illegally constructed floor built above the terrace of the six story hotel on “Butrinti” road in neighborhood no 1 of the coastal city.

A security measure was also issued for the chief inspector of the Territorial Protection Inspectorate, Eduart Veliu, as well as for police officer Irakli Koçiaj.

It is recalled that a few days ago, following another operation against illegal constructions in Sarandë, the head of the police commissariat, Gëzim Bashllari, was also detained.

Dismissal of the police leadership in Sarandë.

The beach bar “Copacabana” in Sarandë is suspected to have been built illegally with financing from criminal groups through the corruption of the police leadership in Sarandë.

According to the police, the property where the construction works were taking place was registered in the name of Isuf Jaçaj, who was killed after his vehicle exploded in a TNT attack in October 2025.

Investigators suspect that behind the attack is a criminal group based in Kamëz, which is also being investigated for involvement in other criminal incidents in Sarandë. According to suspicions, the property had been taken by force by this group while a beach bar intended to open during the tourist season was being built there.

The investigation is also focused on suspicions of corruption within local police structures. It is believed that bribes were paid to police leaders in Sarandë in exchange for allowing the illegal construction. For this reason, the Police Oversight Agency detained the head of the Sarandë Police Commissariat and three of his subordinates who are accused of abuse of office and involvement in the scheme that allowed the continuation of the works.

Additionally, the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Section at the Sarandë Commissariat, commissioner Blerim Tafçiu, was suspended from duty after failing to appear for questioning by the Police Oversight Agency during the investigation.

Names of the arrested police officers:

Gëzim Bashllari, head of the Commissariat

Andi Duro, crime investigation specialist

Ajdin Ismailaj, public order specialist

Robert Çullaj, area police specialist

Suspended from duty

Head of the Crimes Section in Sarandë, Blerim Tafçiu

“KORÇA BOOM”