Albanian Customs Refers Suspected Case Affecting the EU's Financial Interests to SPAK

Tirana, 29 July 2026 – The Director General of Albanian Customs, Mr. Besmir Beja, has made public a case recently referred to the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), concerning the use of forged documents falsely presented as having been issued by the Albanian authorities to facilitate fictitious customs clearance and export operations from European Union Member States.

"Albanian Customs has referred to SPAK a case involving the use of forged documents falsely presented as having been issued by the Albanian authorities for the purpose of carrying out fictitious customs clearance and export operations from European Union Member States. As this scheme involved the use of materials resembling official documents of the Albanian Customs Administration, the case was referred to SPAK. At the same time, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has been notified in order to investigate and dismantle this criminal activity, which primarily affects the financial interests of the European Union," stated the Director General of Albanian Customs.

Mr. Beja also noted that during this period, Albanian Customs has made public a number of successful enforcement cases in the Port of Durrës, Tirana International Airport, and other customs offices, where, in cooperation with the State Police, authorities have prevented and disrupted not only customs-related violations but also cases involving the suspected trafficking of narcotic substances.

"During this period, we have made public several cases of successful enforcement actions in the Port of Durrës, Tirana International Airport, and other customs control points. In cooperation with the State Police, we have prevented and disrupted not only customs violations but also cases related to the suspected trafficking of narcotic substances. In every case, the relevant referrals have been submitted to the competent prosecutorial authorities, including both the general jurisdiction prosecution offices and the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), in accordance with their respective competencies," Mr. Beja added.

In conclusion, he reaffirmed that the Albanian Customs Administration remains fully committed to fulfilling its law enforcement mandate by working closely with national institutions and international partners to prevent and combat all forms of illegal activity at the borders of the Republic of Albania.