INFORMATION LEAK / Secret communication of socialist deputies about the protest is published

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Drugs, the phenomenon that is filling prisons: 30% of convicts and detainees are for drug cultivation and trafficking

2026-04-13 20:38:53Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA SEBI ALLA
Illustrative photo

While the issue of "prison arrest" measures (for officials and former senior public officials), the extension of pre-trial detention, and the delay of criminal trials is being raised as a concern by the majority, official reports indicate another phenomenon, both criminal and social and health.

Around 30% of convicts and detainees in the country are isolated for the cultivation, trafficking and distribution of narcotics, some of whom are also involved in criminal organizations.

The reasons for the spread of this phenomenon, according to sociologists, are mainly related to "quick profit", but also the involvement of vulnerable groups, mainly minors and young people who, from being users, often turn into drug distributors, being exploited by trafficking networks.

In prison…

Referring to the latest official data from the General Directorate of Prisons, which Faktoje.al has obtained, the balances for February show that there are a total of 2003 convicts, of which 529 are for drug offenses.

The figure is even higher for detainees awaiting a final court decision.

There are 2,424 people in pre-trial detention, and 703 are on the "drug" charge. In percentage terms, this criminal offense constitutes the highest number of those prosecuted with maximum security measures, while it also presents another problem.

"The activity of drug production, trafficking and use is not only a criminal activity but also a very profitable one. This is a criminal industry and a socially degrading activity, apparently, the financial side as a profitable activity and the criminal supply and demand of the social market for narcotics seem to go together," sociologist, Prof. Gëzim Tushi, tells Faktoje.al.

Growing numbers

In the analysis of official data from the General Directorate of Prisons, the criminal offense related to the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics has been increasing from 2013 to the present. This is not without reason.

From 2014 to 2017, the number of convicted persons averaged 550, but this number almost doubled during 2018-2019, respectively, in 2018, 987 people were convicted and in 2019, 933 were convicted.

"The cannabization of the country for some public opinion has been a myth, for others it has been and is a lived reality of ruined lives. There have been years when the public has learned more about this 'process', there have been years when cannabization has been silent or developed away from the eyes and ears of the public.

"If today the age of minors who use narcotics or who are in conflict with the law because they are distributors has been lowered to 12 years, this may be related to reasons such as: the ease of obtaining it, the frequency with which it circulates, and the geographical spread in both urban and rural areas of the country," says sociologist Entela Binjaku.

As acknowledged by police reports in the country, but also international ones, the phenomenon of cannabis use during the years 2015-2017 has been quite high.

Millions of cannabis plants were destroyed in several police operations across the country, but tons of drugs were still seized in the countries where they were trafficked, mainly in Italy and Greece. This trend then saw a decline, but the year 2024 presents another paradoxical picture.

If 413 people were convicted this year, the figure in pre-trial detention is more than double, 1022 people on charges of "cultivation, trafficking and distribution of narcotics".

Social problem

Sociologists consider the issue of drug trafficking and consumption not only as a direct consequence of criminal punishment, but also as a social phenomenon that has affected many families in the country. "Very alarming is the fact that there is a frightening trend of lowering the age of initiation of drug use and expanding the number of children and adolescents involved in this sphere of 'minor crime'."

In this context, by diagnosing our realities, the increase in the production and use of psychotropic substances, we can say that the problem has already worsened in social dimensions and can no longer be considered peripheral," says Prof. Gëzim Tushi.

From the verification of the data of those prosecuted for "drugs" and the specific charges, the majority are in reference to Article 183 of the Criminal Code.

"Selling, offering, offering for sale, giving or receiving in any form, distributing, trading, brokering, transporting, sending, sending in transit, delivering in any form and possessing, except in the case of personal use and in small doses, narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as the seeds of narcotic plants, in violation of the law, or in excess of their content, is punishable by imprisonment from five to ten years," this article states, while it continues that the measure of 7-15 years is applied in cases of criminal trafficking groups, or repetition of this criminal offense more than once.

"Forgotten" article

While they highlight that the number of minor users has increased to high levels, the penalization of persons who encourage minors and adolescents to consume narcotics is low.

Referring to official data from the Ministry of Justice, it is noted that Article 286 of the Criminal Code has been applied very little. This article stipulates: “Incitement to use drugs (Amended by Law No. 8733, dated 24.1.2001), inciting others to use narcotic and psychotropic substances or giving them to others for use or injecting them, without their knowledge and consent, is punishable by imprisonment from five to ten years. When incitement or forced injection is done to children or in penal, school, sports or any other social activity institutions, it is punishable by imprisonment of not less than fifteen years”.

Although distributors and traffickers mainly target 9-year-old and high school students as a "contingent" for trading and profiting with intent, their punishment under Article 286, which has the harshest punishment, remains quite low. "Studies show that the beginning, the first step that encourages them, especially children and young people to use drugs, is curiosity and the effects of criminal propaganda to increase the network of people with toxic addictions," says Tushi./ Faktoje.al


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×