Press Release
Assets of E.A. Seized at Tirana Prosecution's Request Following Conviction in France for 'Trafficking of Narcotics' and 'Money Laundering
The assets of citizen E.A. were seized at the request of Tirana Prosecutor's Office, and according to the law “On Preventing and Striking at Organized Crime, Trafficking, Corruption, and Other Crimes through Preventive Measures against Assets'.
The preliminary investigations conducted, under asset proceeding no. 3, dated 23.12.2024, revealed that E.A. cannot account for his real estate holdings through his declared income or financial resources. It was also found that he had been sentenced in France for 'Trafficking of narcotics' and, in 2011, was prosecuted for 'Money laundering' under Article 287 of the Criminal Code.
Interpol confirmed that, according to verifications from Interpol France, citizen E.A. was involved in criminal activities as part of a criminal organization engaged in the international trafficking of narcotics, the use of narcotics, smuggling goods, and items posing danger to life, among other offenses.
The Prosecution, after investigations, concluded that there was a mismatch between the source of funding (income + loans) and the documented assets.
The asset investigation revealed real estate that cannot be justified by the income of the individual or his family members up until 2020. It is suspected that these properties are linked to the criminal activities of the individual in question, specifically:
• “Rio bar-café' located on Besim Imami Street, near the 'Alpet' gas station on Myslym Shyri Street. The property spans 108 m² and was purchased on 21.10.2005; and
• A commercial place on Besim Imami Street, near the 'Alpet' gas station on Myslym Shyri Street, currently operating as a SPA Center
3 – The Prosecutor's Office sought the seizure of the following assets based on the provisions of Law No. 10192, dated 03.12.2009, “On Preventing and Striking at Organized Crime, Trafficking, Corruption, and Other Crimes through Preventive Measures against Assets' :
- A property consisting of land (71.52 m²) and a building (37.52 m²) in Tirana
- A service unit of 108 m² located on Besim Imami Street.
- A service unit of 63 m² on Besim Imami Street.