In a significant victory against organized narcotics trafficking, the Albanian State Police have successfully concluded a month-long investigation codenamed “Operation Fazat”, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a substantial quantity of cannabis prepared for cross-border smuggling into Greece.
The operation, which was led by the Anti-Narcotics Investigation Section under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office of the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Korçë, marked the end of four weeks of intensive surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated police actions.
According to official reports, police arrested F. S., 48 years old, and his wife E. S., 31 years old, both residents of the Devoll area in southeastern Albania. The couple now faces serious criminal charges including “Production and Sale of Narcotics,” “Cultivation of Narcotic Plants,” and “Trafficking of Narcotics.”
The Discovery: 5.8 Kilograms of Cannabis Ready for Trafficking
During a detailed search of the couple’s home, police discovered approximately 5.8 kilograms of cannabis, which the suspects had carefully packaged and prepared for transportation. Investigators believe the drugs were destined for illegal export to Greece, a known route for cross-border cannabis trafficking from Albania.
In addition to the narcotics, authorities also confiscated two mobile phones, which are now being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Digital forensics experts are analyzing communication records that could potentially reveal connections with other individuals or organized networks involved in the distribution of narcotics across the Albanian-Greek border.
Cannabis Cultivation in “Lagjja e Fundosur”
The investigation further revealed that the seized cannabis originated from plants allegedly cultivated by the couple themselves. The cultivation took place on their private land in an area known locally as “Lagjja e Fundosur”—a remote and hard-to-access location near their residence in Devoll.
Police sources reported that the suspects worked together to plant, harvest, and process the cannabis into a ready-for-sale product. The drugs were then stored in their home while arrangements were being made for smuggling across the border.
Such self-contained, family-run operations are becoming an emerging trend in rural Albania, where individuals engage in small-scale cultivation for profit, hoping to avoid large-scale detection by law enforcement. However, as this case demonstrates, even local networks are being thoroughly investigated and dismantled through the country’s renewed anti-drug efforts.
The Operation “Fazat”: Four Weeks of Undercover Work
The police operation “Fazat” (translated as “The Phases”) was initiated after intelligence suggested illegal drug activity linked to the suspects. Over a period of four weeks, specialized anti-drug units conducted discreet monitoring of the couple’s movements, communication, and financial transactions.
Authorities confirmed that they gathered sufficient evidence to link the pair to both the cultivation and preparation of cannabis for trafficking. Once the operation was deemed complete, the team executed a carefully coordinated raid on the couple’s residence, ensuring the seizure of all evidence and the arrest of both individuals in flagrante delicto—caught in the act.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Following their arrest, procedural materials have been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office of the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Korçë for further legal action. Both defendants are currently under custody as investigations continue to determine the full extent of their activities and potential accomplices.
Police officials emphasized that this case serves as another reminder of the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward drug-related crimes, particularly those involving trafficking across borders. Albania continues to cooperate closely with neighboring Greece and European law enforcement agencies in the broader effort to dismantle regional drug routes and criminal organizations operating in the Balkans.
Broader Context: Albania’s Fight Against Drug Trafficking
This latest operation underscores Albania’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its reputation in the fight against narcotics. Over the past decade, the country has made significant progress in combating cannabis cultivation, which once represented a major challenge for law enforcement.
Through modernized investigative methods, greater inter-agency coordination, and international partnerships, Albanian authorities have achieved notable success in identifying and neutralizing both large-scale and small-scale criminal groups involved in drug production and distribution.
The Devoll operation adds to a series of successful interventions carried out throughout 2025, demonstrating consistent results from law enforcement agencies operating under increased strategic oversight.
A Strong Message from Law Enforcement
The successful conclusion of Operation “Fazat” sends a strong message to all individuals or groups engaged in the illegal cultivation or trafficking of narcotics. Albanian Police reiterated their commitment to continuing proactive investigations and raids, focusing particularly on rural areas where cultivation is most prevalent.
As the case now proceeds through the judicial system, authorities remain confident that the collected evidence—including the seized drugs and digital communications—will contribute to a successful prosecution.
This operation stands as both a victory for law enforcement and a clear warning to others: the production, sale, and trafficking of narcotics in Albania will be met with full legal consequences.