Economic catastrophe, Basha warns of drug money dangers

Economic catastrophe, Basha warns of drug money dangers

The Democratic Party Chair, Lulzim Basha has made a seething attack on the government, declaring that drug and crime money endanger an economic catastrophe for our country.

The statements came after a record breaking seizure of 613kg of cocaine at the Port of Durres today, the biggest ever recorded in the country, with a value of $180million Euros.

With statistics expert, Ines Nurja, at his side, Basha did a detailed scan of the economic situation, saying that the construction sector and public-private partnership are being used by the government as opportunities for money laundering.

The Opposition leader made a direct denouncement against the Municipality of Tirana.

"The Albanian economy is on the verge of disaster. 2016 was a record year for drugs, 2017 a record year of construction permits by the Municipality of Tirana.

"We have a drastic increase in buildings with over 3 floors. A boom in construction funded by what?!

"The Tirana Municipality has turned into a launderer of crime and drug money," said Lulzim Basha.

Regarding the public-private partnerships, Basha said the money of crime and drugs is being cleaned through the construction of incinerators.

Basha accused Minister Arben Ahmetaj, stressing that he is trying to buy the media, instead of denouncing the affairs with the incinerators.

"PPPs are made to clean drug money, to waste and steal taxpayer's money, such as is the case with the incinerators," said Lulzim Basha.

The Opposition leader said that the government has no priority for the development of the country, while according to him, the only purpose of the government is to transform Albania into a crime free-for-all. 

"In 2016, Rama covered Albania with cannabis. In 2017 he used the cannabis money to destroy the political process.

"The government is now aiming to turn Albania into a free crime zone, rather than a crime-free zone, and they are targeting tourism, construction and waste management sectors to launder their proceeds," said Lulzim Basha.

EMISIONET