Albania’s Police Oversight Agency carried out an operation on Friday in the southern coastal areas of Sarandë, Ksamil, and surrounding zones as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal construction activities in the country’s south.

The probe is reportedly focused on police officers suspected of being involved in or facilitating cases of unauthorized construction along Albania’s coastline, a region that has seen increased scrutiny over building violations in recent years.

According to local sources among those arrested are the head of the Sarandë Police Station, the head of the Crimes Unit, a crime specialist, and another police officer. The officials are suspected of having coordinated or failed to intervene in the construction of illegal structures, allegedly enabling violations through inaction or direct involvement.

Authorities believe the officers may have acted in cooperation with one another, either allowing or failing to prevent unlawful construction activities in coastal zones.

As of now, the Police Oversight Agency has not issued an official statement regarding the operation, though an official announcement is expected in the coming hours or days.