Canadian businessman faces 15 years in Albania over suitcase cannabis discovery

Canadian businessman Kristian Gjoni says he was arrested at Tirana airport after customs officers found more than 50lb of cannabis in a suitcase he says was planted or swapped without his knowledge. He faces more than 15 years in prison while awaiting trial, and says the case has left him separated from his life in Canada and uncertain about his future.

Gjoni travelled to Albania with his pregnant wife, Adriana, to visit family. He says officers questioned them over a missing luggage tag, then detained him after directing him to the untagged bag; he spent four days in solitary confinement. Adriana was also detained and later miscarried, which Gjoni believes was connected to the upheaval. He must return to Albania every four months to check in with authorities. He says the incident fits a “luggage swap” tactic highlighted in a Canadian government advisory.