1,000 tons of smuggled oil seized in Porto Romano
Authorities in Albania have seized 1,000 tons of smuggled oil at the port of Porto Romano over the past 24 hours. On Tuesday, 400 tons of oil were discovered hidden in the ballast tanks of a ship arriving from Tunisia. Police have arrested six crew members—five Syrians and one Albanian—and have declared two organizers wanted.
Why is this important: This marks the second major seizure of smuggled oil in just 24 hours, highlighting the scale of the illicit fuel trade in the region. On Monday, authorities blocked another shipment of 670 tons of oil smuggled from Tanzania with assistance from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. These back-to-back busts underscore the importance of Albania’s intensified efforts to combat smuggling networks and protect the economy from illegal fuel operations.
Context: Both seizures are part of the ongoing operation “Black Gold,” which has identified at least 10 individuals implicated in the smuggling schemes. The ship “Aya Zanoubya”, flagged under Tanzania, was officially transporting construction materials but concealed large quantities of oil in its ballast tanks. Ballast tanks, normally filled with seawater to balance ships during transit without cargo, were modified to carry the illicit fuel.
The use of ballast tanks for smuggling oil represents a sophisticated technique that smugglers have employed in both recent cases, suggesting a coordinated network. Authorities are continuing investigations to track down additional suspects and dismantle the smuggling operations.
Meta Description: Albanian authorities seized 1,000 tons of smuggled oil within 24 hours, uncovering an illicit trade network.
Slug: smuggled-oil-seized-porto-romano
Focus Keyword: smuggled oil Albania Porto Romano
Tags: oil smuggling, Porto Romano, Black Gold operation, Guardia di Finanza, Albania crime news
Go deeper
DP parliamentary group leader challenges SPAK over accusations involving PM Rama’s brother
Published on January 14, 2025
Why is this important: Just days earlier, Bardhi was forced to retract accusations made in parliament against another individual, Edmond Sulaj, the former police director for Shkodër. Bardhi had accused Sulaj of being appointed by organized crime but immediately walked back those claims after the policeman filed a defamation lawsuit. He now faces a similar defamation lawsuit in the Olsi Rama case, with the Prime Minister announcing he is considering filing one as well.
New agreement halves time to issue passports and ID cards for diaspora
Published on January 14, 2025
Why is this important: For the first time, Albanians in the diaspora will be able to vote from their countries of residence in the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 11. While registration with the Central Election Commission’s platform does not require a valid ID, a current passport or ID card issued by Albanian authorities is mandatory to cast a vote. By halving the processing time, this initiative will help eligible diaspora voters obtain the necessary documents on time, ensuring broader participation in the election.
EU Enlargement Commissioner highlights potential for more progress during Polish presidency than in the last ten years, singles out Montenegro and Albania
Published on January 14, 2025