Albania's special state attorney's office against organized crime on April 12 ordered the arrest of 24 people, including 11 entrepreneurs mainly operating in the manufacturing sector. They included a 53-year-old Italian citizen residing in the town of Valona.

Four border police officials were also arrested for allegedly helping migrants obtain a visa, and for assisting them on the ground once they had reached the international airport of Tirana on flights from the United Arab Emirates.

During the operation to arrest the alleged members of the criminal organizations, police officers also seized weapons, documents and nearly 1 million euros in cash.

From Albania to Kosovo to Central Europe

Members of these criminal groups had allegedly organized irregular migration journeys from Bangladesh to Europe for a total cost of 5,000 euros, and also helped migrants with obtaining visas and work permits later on in their journeys.

The group reportedly also had operatives who welcomed migrants at the airport of Tirana and then accompanied them to the border with Kosovo, from where they continued their journey into an EU country.

Albania is one of the key transit countries along the so-called 'Balkan route' into the European Union. Most migrants who use this route come from Middle Eastern countries and Central Asia. However, some get stuck in Albania for longer periods as well.

According to data provided by EU border agency Frontex, 9,000 irregular migrants were identified in Albania in 2023.