TIRANA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Albanian State Police seized a total of 137 kg of cocaine in Durres Port, western Albania hidden in shipping containers arriving from Ecuador, General Director of Albanian State Police (ASP) Ardi Veliu told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
According to Veliu, the international police operation code-named "Kuito" was organized in cooperation with the Greek law enforcement authorities in coordination with the United Stated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office in Athens, under the direction of the Serious Crimes Prosecutor's Office of Tirana Court.
At the end of the operation, the police seized a total of 137 kg of cocaine and arrested two Albanian men with the initials A.B. aged 53 and A.M. aged 35, both residents in Durres and declared another man identified as G.M. was wanted.
During the investigation, which started in August, it was found that the arrested persons were to receive the amount of drugs hidden in two containers arriving from Ecuador to Greece and then to Albania by sea to send it to a safe place.
Police said that the arrested persons are accused of the criminal offense of "International trafficking of narcotics committed in the form of a structured criminal group."
"The Central Investigation Directorate, in cooperation with the Serious Crimes Prosecution Office, continues the intensive work of identifying other persons implicated in this criminal activity," Veliu said.
According to Veliu, the conclusion of this operation demonstrates the commitment of the State Police to fight organized crime, as well as the growing confidence of partners to cooperate with the ASP.
