The Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, attended the EU Ministerial for Internal Affairs with Western Balkan states. During the ministerial, Sveçla presented Kosovo’s achievements in combating drug trafficking and criminal groups.
Today, the Western Balkans Interior Ministers Forum was held in Budva, Montenegro, organized by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of Europe and the Government of Montenegro.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sveçla highlighted Kosovo’s progress in fighting organized crime, human trafficking, arms and drug trafficking, and combating illegal migration, which were key topics at this forum.
“In 2023, in our fight against organized crime, terrorism, human and arms trafficking, our institutions have handled 256 cases, with 168 cases in the first nine months of this year,” Sveçla said.
He emphasized the Kosovo Police’s efforts against drug trafficking and the criminal networks involved.
“From January last year to now, a significant amount of narcotics has been seized, including about 30 kg of heroin and over 2.5 tons of cannabis. During the nine-month period of this year, the Kosovo Police uncovered and dismantled four drug production laboratories and nine cannabis cultivation plantations,” Sveçla stated.
Addressing irregular migration, which remains a challenge for many countries, Sveçla presented the institutions’ efforts in this area.
“Thanks to the commitment of all our institutions, our country today leads in many international reports in combating these issues and is no longer a safe zone for various criminal groups or irregular migrants,” Sveçla added.
