Special Prosecution against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) has closed the investigations for the criminal group accused of cultivating narcotics in Puka. 

Investigation shows that the defendants Leon Ndrecaj, Ilir Prengaj and Gjin Kola, in the role of leaders, have created a criminal group in cooperation with the other defendants who are part of this group, being involved in the criminal activity of cultivating narcotics with the aim of selling them. Cultivation of narcotic plants is carried out in the mountainous border areas of Shkodër district (Pukë) and Lezha (Mirdite), then it is processed in special places with the aim of selling it.

The criminal group has also had the support of the state police structures and local structures, where it has been proven that they had the support of the defendant Kastriot Bicukaj with the duty of judicial police officer at the Pukë Police Station, as well as the defendant Hilë Marnikolaj, with the duty of Chieftain of Pukë village. 

"Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime at the end of the investigations related to criminal proceedings no. 251, of 2020, requested the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime to send the case for trial regarding the defendants: 

1. Leon Ndrecaj accused of committing the criminal offense "Cultivation of narcotic plants" provided for by articles 284/1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Production and sale of narcotics" provided for by articles 283/ 1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Structured criminal group" in the form of the direction provided by article 333a/1 and "Commitment of criminal offenses by criminal organization and structured criminal group" provided by Article 334/1 of the Criminal Code; as well as "Production and sale of narcotics" carried out in cooperation provided by article 283/2 of the Criminal Code; 

2. Gjin Kola and Ilir Prengaj accused of committing the criminal offenses "Cultivation of narcotic plants" provided by articles 284/1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Production and sale of narcotics" provided by articles 283/1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Structured criminal group" in the form of the direction provided by article 333a/1 and "Commitment of criminal offenses by criminal organization and structured criminal group ” provided by article 334/1 of the Criminal Code; 

3. Miri Rrapi, Zef Lalaj, Danjel Lalaj, Gentian Ndoj (Marinaj), Tanush Lekgegaj, Aleks Këdheli, Tor Sherri (Vitor), Leonard Kola, Ylli Veshi, Gentjan Stafa (Lalaj), Samuel Marku, Eriglen Sulaj, Kastriot Bicukaj and Hilë Marnikollaj accused of committing the criminal offenses "Cultivation of narcotic plants" provided by articles 284/1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Production and sale of narcotics" provided by articles 283/1 and 28/4 of the Criminal Code, within the framework of the structured criminal group, "Structured criminal group" provided by article 333a/2 and "Commitment of criminal offenses by criminal organization and structured criminal group" provided by article 334/1 of the Code Criminal", announced SPAK.

The criminal activity started in October 2020, then continued in 2021, where through the investigative actions and evidence collected, this criminal activity and the concrete criminal responsibility of the defendants have been documented and proven.