Albanian, Italian police arrest 27 people in joint operation
February 13, 2019

TIRANA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian police and Italian Anti-mafia police arrested 27 persons of four criminal organizations during a joint operation, the General Director of Police Ardi Veliu said in a press conference on Tuesday.

The international police operation against drugs trafficking encoded "Spring flowers" was finalized with 27 persons cuffed, 21 of whom Albanian citizens.

"Thanks to this operation, about 3.3 tons of cannabis were seized," said Veliu.

The investigations for this operation, held as well in cooperation with the Prosecution Office of Serious Crimes, lasted two years.

The Head of the Prosecution Office of Serious Crimes, Donika Prela, said that this was the first operation of a joint investigative team between the Albanian and Italian authorities.