Malësi e Madhe: 265 kg of cannabis and two mines found at Kukaj brothers' homes; four arrested, three sought

Shkodra County Police Director Dashamir Spaho on Thursday presented the results of an anti-drug operation code-named “Polinomi,” which police say hit a criminal group trying to sell more than 265 kilograms of cannabis inside and outside Albania. The investigation lasted four months and was conducted by Shkodra's narcotics units together with the Special Operational Force Directorate, under the direction of the Shkodra Prosecutor's Office.

From a car stop to the homes

It all began with the stop of a Volkswagen Passat in the “Guraj” neighborhood of Malësi e Madhe, driven by 25-year-old Elsid Ramci. After searching the car and the homes of brothers Bujar and Naim Kukaj, police found 265.4 kilograms of cannabis packaged for sale. Two suspected anti-tank mines were found on Bujar Kukaj's land and handed over to Armed Forces engineers. Seven mobile phones and six vehicles were also seized.

Those arrested are Admir Selgjekaj, 38; Elsid Ramci, 25; Bujar Kukaj, 56; and Naim Kukaj, 52, charged with producing and selling narcotics and money laundering; Bujar Kukaj also with unlicensed possession of weapons and explosives. Being sought are Esat Kukaj, 58, brother of the two arrested; Denjan Kukaj, 23, Bujar's son; and Anarldo Mulleti, 39.

Suspected roles

According to police, the Kukaj family members stored and packaged the narcotics, while Selgjekaj, Ramci and Mulleti organized transport and sales. All seven are from Malësi e Madhe and have prior records for similar offenses. The investigation continues to identify other possible participants. “The main ally in these efforts is the community of Shkodra County,” Spaho said. All are considered suspects until a final court ruling.