Albania Cracks Down on Money Muling Tactics

In a significant move to combat illicit financial flows, Albanian customs officials have received training and advanced scanners to detect cash smuggling, a common tactic used by organized crime groups operating in the country.

The Problem of Cash Smuggling

Organized crime groups, mainly based abroad, rely heavily on Albania as a key location for laundering ill-gotten gains. A significant portion of this illicit money enters the country in cash, often hidden in luggage or carried by individuals dubbed “mules” who regularly fly into the country.

Combating Cash Smuggling with EU Funding

To combat this issue, the EU-funded project EU4FOCAL has provided Albanian customs with two advanced scanners and organized training sessions for 15 officials. The training, led by experts from Spain’s National Police, focused on operating and interpreting the images produced by these modern tools.

Key Aspects of the Training

• Initial training took place at Rina International Airport
• Second phase scheduled for February to reach an additional 15 agents
• Enhanced capabilities expected to significantly improve customs’ ability to detect and prevent cash smuggling

Conclusion

The enhanced capabilities provided by EU4FOCAL are expected to have a significant impact on Albania’s fight against organized crime, ultimately undermining their financial operations in the country.