The luxury resort development on Albania’s Ionian coast, backed by Jared Kushner, has become the focal point of protests and a quiet British surveillance operation. Sources confirm that the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is monitoring financial flows linked to the project, amid concerns over money laundering and opaque funding structures.
Protesters gathered in Sarandë last week, waving signs that read “Our coast is not for sale” and “No to corruption”. The demonstrations, led by local environmental groups and opposition activists, accuse the developers of bypassing environmental impact assessments and using shell companies to channel funds.
Documents uncovered by this desk show that Kushner’s Affinity Partners, the investment firm behind the resort, has transferred over $40 million through a network of trusts registered in Jersey and the British Virgin Islands. The NCA’s involvement, first reported by local media, has not been officially confirmed by the agency. But a government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We are looking at any transaction that could involve proceeds of crime. The Albanian project has raised red flags.”
The resort, slated to include a 400-room hotel, a marina, and a golf course, is part of a broader development spree along the Albanian Riviera. The country, which opened EU accession talks last year, has been courting foreign investment. But critics argue that lax regulation and a weak judiciary make it a haven for illicit finance.
Kushner, former son-in-law and adviser to Donald Trump, has faced scrutiny for his business dealings since leaving the White House. His firm has denied any wrongdoing, stating that all investments comply with local and international laws. “Affinity Partners operates with the highest ethical standards,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “The resort will create jobs and boost tourism in a region that needs economic development.”
But the protesters are not convinced. “They come here with their money and their suits, and they think they can buy our country,” said Elona, a 34-year-old teacher holding a handmade sign. “We know how this works. They build their hotels, they take their profits, and they leave us with a ruined environment and a broken democracy.”
The British investigation is still in its early stages. The NCA has requested bank records from multiple jurisdictions, including Albania, the UK, and offshore financial centres. If evidence of money laundering is found, the UK could freeze assets and push for prosecutions. But legal experts say such cases can take years and often face political headwinds.
For now, the protests continue. The Albanian government has defended the project, arguing that it will bring much-needed revenue. Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly pledged to fight corruption, but his critics point to a string of scandals involving public contracts and property rights.
The Kushner development sits at the intersection of geopolitics, business, and crime. It is a microcosm of how power flows in the 21st century: opaque, globalised, and unaccountable. The question is whether the NCA’s quiet watchdog role will be enough to pull back the curtain.
