
An Albanian businessman and his driver have been arrested during an operation undertaken by Greek authorities against oil smuggling.
Greek media report that Albanian businessman Bashkim Sulkaj, 66, and his driver Astrit Delilaj, 67, have been arrested.
According to the Central Bank data, Sulkaj is the owner of fuel in Maliq and Tirana, while he is also equipped with Greek documents.
According to the investigation, Greek national Thomas Stefanakos formed and led a criminal organization, divided into two sub-sectors, led by Bashkim Sulkaj and Mario Koutoula. This organization collaborated with still unidentified individuals in Albania, Bulgaria and Poland.
During the investigation, it was discovered that since the beginning of 2025, the organization has earned around 3,000,000 euros, taking into account the quantities of smuggled and counterfeit fuel and the interference-change of measuring devices in the input-output system at a percentage of their choosing.
According to the investigative file, among other things, fuel smuggling through Kapshtica customs was also discovered.