6000 police agents have been ordered by Interior Minister Sajmir Tahiri
to inspect and seize gambling machine saloons throughout the country.
The police operation code named “End of Craziness” started this Monday at 17:00, with the General Tax Police and the Gambling Directory at the Ministry of Finances, seized a large number of gambling businesses that have not paid taxes or that are unlicensed.
Having more gambling businesses, the Albanian capital, Tirana, had a higher concentration of agents. Police say that they have seized many gambling businesses also in Durres, Korce and Vlore.
Sources at the Interior Ministry say that the operation was being planned for the last three days, and it was executed this Monday. Police analysts say that these businesses have also been a source of several crimes.
The operation will conclude in the late hours of the night, and will be followed by criminal prosecution against everyone who has committed tax evasion or that have worked without a license. According to the police, they will make frequent controls to avoid illegal business once and for all.
Recent information show that Minister Tahiri has observed the operation in “Qyteti Studenti”, where he has discharged the Head of the Police in this area for not performing his duties.
Tahiri: The purpose of this operation is to end informality
“Budget and Albanian families have been damaged”
Top Channel had a live interview with the Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri, who is on terrain to follow the operation.
Journalist Ilir Paco: Mr.Tahiri, on what basis did this massive operation start in all districts?
Minister Sajmir Tahiri: It’s nothing new that the gambling games have turned into a basis of illegality, by causing damages to the Albanian budget and families, turning into a source of criminality. We have publicly promissed to close all illegal activities. I am proud today that we concluded this operation. It showed the will of the State Police and also its weakenesses. We have seized more than 350 subjects throughout Albania and the operation will continue.
Paço: Is there any data that these subjects have been allowed to operate illegally, thriving in informality?
Tahiri: This is the purpose of this operation. We want to identify informality. After this we will continue with an investigation in order to discover those who have allowed these illegal businesses.
Paço: Is this an effective operation, and are there selective actions?
Tahiri: I think that no one will be able to save from this operation. I am happy with the cooperation of the police and I hope that the Albanian public will be more involved against informality. We will implement our electoral promises.
Paço: You are leading the operation yourself. Is there any preliminary number about the financial damage that has been caused so far in the state budget?
Tahiri: I don’t have such data, because this needs a detailed analysis. Now we are in the phase of the report. We will keep communicating to make public what has happened.
Gambling businesses don’t pay taxes
Earlier the month, during a control at the Gambling Supervision Unit, the Ministry of finances identified tax evasion from these subjects, causing a 256 million ALL damage to the state.
The burden has been accumulating each year, while the subjects’ activities resulted active and without any obstacle.
Police also found that the Gambling Supervision Unit had allowed some businesses to operate illegally by not confiscating the unlicensed machines.
Based on these penal acts, the Ministry of Finances reported the former general director, Besnik Cobaj, and the Director of Operational Directory, Nikolin Gjeka, over power abuse.
Two employees received administrative measures by being dismissed, while two others have received warnings.
Top Channel
