Heavily Armed Units Enter Oil Giant’s Premises In Surprise Operation Linked To Alleged Fiscal Evasion
A high-profile police operation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at the headquarters of Bankers Petroleum in Marinëz, Fier, raising fresh scrutiny over the company’s fiscal conduct in Albania’s troubled oil sector.
Uniformed officers, accompanied by officials from the General Directorate of Taxation, entered the premises of the Canadian-owned oil company, while luxury vehicles bearing both Albanian and foreign license plates were observed outside the compound. According to eyewitnesses, individuals carrying files and documents moved in and out of the site, suggesting the execution of a full-scale tax inspection.
The company has so far remained silent. No official statement has been issued in response to the presence of law enforcement and tax authorities. However, confidential sources within the tax administration confirmed to local media that the action is linked to a substantial outstanding tax liability the company allegedly owes the Albanian state.
A Pattern Of Financial and Environmental Controversy
Bankers Petroleum has operated the Patos-Marinëz oil field—the largest onshore oil field in continental Europe—for over a decade. Despite its strategic importance, the company has long been embroiled in disputes with tax and environmental regulators.
The Albanian tax authority has previously accused the firm of failing to settle obligations to both the tax and customs administrations, while environmental groups have repeatedly criticized the company for its role in groundwater contamination and land degradation in the surrounding communities.
Broader Implications For Albania’s Extractive Sector
The timing and visibility of the raid suggest a tougher enforcement posture from Albanian authorities. In an economy still heavily reliant on foreign direct investment, especially in energy and mining, the action raises questions about regulatory risk, fiscal discipline, and corporate accountability.
While the government has not issued a formal comment on today’s operation, analysts say the move could be part of a broader effort to signal credibility to international financial institutions and investors, particularly as Albania pushes forward with EU accession talks.
Unfolding Situation
As of Wednesday evening, there is no clarity on whether the visit resulted in the seizure of documents, initiation of legal proceedings, or further sanctions. However, the company’s silence and the scale of the enforcement presence suggest that the issue is far from administrative in nature.
This developing story adds to the growing list of high-stakes disputes in Albania’s natural resources sector, and may test the limits of state oversight in a country where extractive wealth often collides with weak institutions and allegations of regulatory capture.