Press Release

Tirana Prosecution Office has wrapped up its investigations and brought five Kosovo nationals to trial on charges of “Smuggling of goods requiring license” in complicity, as stipulated in Article 173/2 of the Criminal Code.

The nationals—A.M., B.Z., A.G., A.I., and F.Z.—arrived at Rinas Airport from Istanbul in December 2024, carrying €300,000 in cash and 14 suitcases filled with medications.

Based on the Customs General Directorate’s information and their physical inspection, a sum of €300,000 was found in undeclared cash. Additionally, customs officers at Rinas Airport, in coordination with the Anti-Smuggling and Anti-Trafficking Units and Rinas Police, discovered 14 suitcases containing 1,057,840 pills labeled 'Unified' during a luggage check. The total weight of the medications was 417.1 kg. All items, including the undeclared cash, were seized.

Investigations substantiated the smuggling of unauthorized licensed goods (medications) into the Republic of Albania. The Prosecution concluded that the criminal offense was committed in complicity by all five arrested.
The seized goods, classified as 'medications' under Law no. 105/2014 "On Medicinal Products and Pharmaceutical Service," as amended, require: marketing authorization, use authorization, and a control stamp issued by the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AKBPM), in compliance with the obligations set out in the aforementioned law.

Consequently, Tirana Prosecution, pursuant to Article 331 of the Criminal Procedure Code has brought to trial the nationals A.M., B.Z., F.Z., A.G., and A.I., for the criminal offense of ‘Smuggling of goods requiring license.’