How 16 people from the company GSA Ferrokrom and CCALV SHPK were arrested for massive air pollution in Elbasan and money laundering
Plumes of smoke burning materials that should have been disposed of in certain furnaces.
This is the situation the police faced when they arrived at the premises of two companies, CCALV SHPK and GSA Ferrokrom shpk, in Elbasan, approved to destroy non-ferrous metals, or batteries and plastics, which had to be carried out according to a chain that included a cooling tower, spark arrestors, filtration and a chimney. But the investigation team found a fire.
16 people were arrested in flagrante delicto on charges of air, land and water pollution, illegal employment, concealment of income and money laundering, including nine foreign nationals from Korea and India, employed as furnace operators, drivers and administrators.
Seven other Albanian citizens are shift managers, engineers, and production directors.
Among those arrested on suspicion of abuse of office is an employee of the Elbasan municipality in the environmental sector, who was supposed to show the level of pollution that was affecting the health of citizens.
Elbasan police say the officer wrote in the minutes that there was no problem with pollution, but experts called from Tirana, after conducting measurements with equipment, declared that it was waste that was being burned beyond the normal permitted levels.
It remains to be seen what position the prosecution will take on the referral of the local police, which has meanwhile also declared the shareholders of the two companies wanted, specifically citizens Bujar Zogu, Dritan Konica, Faejzo Mecaj, Ilir Londo, Gjergj Bezati, Agron Shapllo, and Serafin Orgocka.
Fines have been imposed on both companies and a suspension order is in effect until they meet legal requirements./ TCH