Bana King and ZICO SHA have received a favorable court outcome following an international investigation into 33 kilograms of cocaine discovered in a banana shipping container at Albania's Port of Durrës. According to reporting by TV Klan, the court dismissed proceedings involving the company, businessman Trifon Murataj and administrator Petrit Demishaj.
The case involved a complex international shipping route connecting Ecuador, Italy and Albania, as well as evidence reportedly gathered through cooperation between authorities in several countries.
The reported judicial outcome brings the proceedings against the individuals and company to a close. It also draws attention to the challenges faced by legitimate importers when criminal networks attempt to exploit commercial cargo transportation.
Bana King and ZICO SHA: Court Proceedings Reportedly Dismissed
According to TV Klan, the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Durrës dismissed the case involving ZICO SHA, Trifon Murataj and Petrit Demishaj.
ZICO SHA is the Albanian company associated with the Bana King banana brand, while Murataj and Demishaj were named in the proceedings following the discovery of narcotics inside a container carrying imported bananas.
The ruling reportedly became final on June 23, 2026, marking the conclusion of the described legal proceedings.
The dismissal is a favorable legal outcome for those involved. However, the exact grounds for the decision and whether any charges were formally withdrawn should be confirmed from the official judicial documents.
How the Cocaine Investigation Began at the Port of Durrës
The investigation began after Albanian authorities discovered approximately 33 kilograms of cocaine inside a container carrying bananas in October 2022.
The container had been transported through international maritime routes, prompting investigators to examine its movements, handling procedures and possible interference by third parties.
Authorities sought to establish how the narcotics entered the shipment and whether the available evidence connected any individuals or companies involved in the legitimate import process to the illegal cargo.
Because the shipment had passed through multiple jurisdictions, the investigation involved information reportedly obtained from foreign authorities and international cooperation mechanisms.
ZICO SHA Reportedly Warned Authorities About Potential Cargo Risks
One of the important details described in reporting about the case concerns an advance warning allegedly submitted by ZICO SHA to Albanian authorities.
According to TV Klan, on October 19, 2022, the company requested inspections of its containers after receiving information from suppliers about possible attempts by criminal groups in Ecuador to conceal narcotics in banana shipments.
The notification was reportedly submitted under protocol number 16140 and directed to authorities responsible for police, customs and border security operations.
According to statements attributed to Trifon Murataj, the company had followed similar notification procedures for years when potential risks to its shipments were identified.
The reported communication formed part of the chronology examined during the proceedings. Its precise evidentiary significance depends on the official court findings.
From Ecuador to Italy: The International Shipping Route
The investigation also examined the container's movements before its arrival in Albania.
According to TV Klan, information attributed to Swiss authorities raised the possibility that the cocaine discovered in Durrës had been left behind from a larger shipment originating in Ecuador.
The reported findings referred to the container's passage through the Port of Gioia Tauro in Italy, where 50 boxes of bananas were said to have been unloaded.
Investigators reportedly considered whether individuals involved in drug trafficking had removed the main quantity of narcotics during an earlier stage of the container's journey, leaving a smaller amount behind.
This scenario was presented in the published account as an investigative hypothesis rather than a conclusively established explanation of the cocaine's origin.
Forensic Evidence and Testimony Examined During the Investigation
Investigators reportedly examined physical evidence, electronic communications and witness statements to assess whether the seized narcotics could be connected to the company's representatives.
According to the published account, fingerprint examinations did not identify usable traces linking the cocaine packages to Trifon Murataj or Petrit Demishaj.
An examination of a mobile phone belonging to Petrit Demishaj reportedly revealed no suspicious communications associated with the narcotics shipment.
The investigation also included statements from workers in Ecuador and information obtained through international cooperation.
These findings formed part of the evidentiary material described in reporting about the case. Their precise legal relevance should be assessed through the official judicial decision.
What the Court Decision Means for ZICO SHA and Bana King
The reported dismissal of proceedings marks an important development for ZICO SHA, Trifon Murataj and Petrit Demishaj following several years of investigation and legal proceedings.
According to TV Klan, the court also ordered the return of a 3 million Albanian lek financial guarantee associated with Trifon Murataj and the termination of restrictive measures connected to the case.
These reported measures formed part of the judicial outcome described in the published account.
While the court's dismissal is significant, it should not automatically be described as a formal acquittal. Similarly, confirmation that all charges were withdrawn requires examination of the official court documents.
Bana King and ZICO SHA in Albania's Banana Import Industry
Bana King is a recognizable commercial brand in Albania's banana import and distribution sector, with ZICO SHA operating as the company associated with the brand.
Banana importing depends on international supply chains involving growers, exporters, shipping operators, customs authorities and domestic distributors.
For businesses operating in this sector, cargo security and the documentation of international shipments are important parts of commercial operations.
The reported conclusion of the court proceedings removes the described criminal case from the company's legal circumstances, although the precise implications of the ruling must be assessed from the official judgment.
Any claims about the company's current operating status, commercial performance or market position should be supported by up-to-date business records.
International Cargo Security and the Importance of Judicial Evidence
The investigation highlights the difficulties authorities may face when narcotics are discovered inside shipments associated with legitimate commercial trade.
International containers can pass through multiple ports and handling facilities before reaching their final destinations. Establishing responsibility therefore requires careful examination of shipping records, inspection reports, forensic findings and witness statements.
The case involving ZICO SHA and Bana King illustrates the importance of international cooperation and evidence-based judicial decision-making in investigations involving commercial cargo.
According to the reported court outcome, the proceedings involving Trifon Murataj, Petrit Demishaj and ZICO SHA have been dismissed, bringing the described case to a close.
Source: TV Klan's reporting on the Durrës court ruling. The precise legal grounds, finality of the decision and status of any withdrawn charges should be verified against the official court documents.