Authorities in Durres have detained a Tanzanian-flagged ship, “Aya Zanoubya,” suspected of smuggling a significant quantity of fuel under the guise of transporting cement.
The investigation began after suspicions were raised about the ship, which docked at the MBM port in Porto Romano on January 7. Initially declaring its cargo as cement, the vessel is now under scrutiny for illegal fuel smuggling.
Details of the Operation
The ship departed from the port of Gabes, Tunisia, on December 26, and authorities suspect it coordinated with another vessel to carry out the smuggling operation for financial gain.
Local police have reported several arrests and issued search warrants for additional suspects as part of an ongoing investigation to uncover the full scope of the organized illicit activity.
Legal Proceedings
Both the crew and the ship’s owner face charges, with the 1977-built vessel—measuring 81.72 meters in length and 14.1 meters in width—now under legal scrutiny.
Authorities continue to investigate the methods and networks involved in this illegal activity.
