Diving Instructor Jailed in Norway on Drug Charges After British Tourist Death in Albania
A diving instructor, sought by authorities in Albania concerning the death of a British tourist, has been imprisoned for 15 years in Norway on drug trafficking charges. The father of Rebecca Gannon, the 29-year-old British holidaymaker who tragically died during a diving excursion in Albania, expressed shock upon learning that Saimir Kushova, the diving instructor linked to her death, was convicted in Norway in a narcotics case. George Gannon, Rebecca’s bereaved father, stated he was unaware of this development while pursuing justice for his daughter in Albania.
Father’s Pursuit of Justice for Daughter
Rebecca Gannon perished in September 2022 during a supervised diving trip in Albania with Saimir Kushova, 48. Her father, George Gannon, has since tirelessly campaigned for justice from Albanian authorities, spending extensive periods in the country to advocate for his daughter.
However, Mr. Gannon was astounded to discover that Kushova, the primary suspect in Rebecca’s death, had been found guilty of drug smuggling and handed a 15-year prison sentence in Norway.
Father’s Shock at Suspect’s Drug Conviction
Speaking to MailOnline, a surprised Mr. Gannon, 63, from Stone, Staffordshire, recounted his relentless efforts: ‘For almost three years, I have been in Albania, urging the authorities to deliver justice.’ He described his ordeal as ‘difficult and isolating,’ stating, ‘I’ve been away from my family, but my sole aim was for this man to confront me in court, and now he is jailed in Norway.’
‘This individual is responsible for my daughter’s passing, and he should be facing legal proceedings here. I simply wanted the Albanian authorities to acknowledge the gravity of what transpired to my daughter,’ Mr. Gannon asserted.
He further explained, ‘We only learned about this a few weeks ago. We were aware he had fled shortly after Rebecca’s death, but it seems he ended up in Norway and became entangled in a drug trafficking operation.’
Suspect’s Flight and Drug Smuggling
‘We subsequently found out he was apprehended in Norway approximately six months after leaving Albania, but we were completely unaware that he had been charged, convicted, and imprisoned for narcotics smuggling. It feels as though he is evading accountability for his role in Rebecca’s death, but I will persist in my fight for her,’ Mr. Gannon vowed.
Details of the Diving Tragedy
Rebecca Gannon was vacationing with her partner, Robert Kerans, when tragedy struck during a dive on a submerged wreck near Sarande, a coastal town in southern Albania. The couple, both certified PADI divers, had opted for a guided tour with Kushova’s company, Spiranca Diving Centre.
Soon after boarding the vessel, both Rebecca and Robert reportedly questioned the substandard condition of the equipment, noting deficient life jackets and partially filled oxygen cylinders.
Despite being experienced in dives up to 30 meters, Rebecca encountered difficulties in shallow waters of just seven meters and drowned. Mr. Gannon recounted that prior to her death, Rebecca resurfaced ‘panicked and pleading for assistance’ before disappearing beneath the surface.
Back in the UK, George and his wife Gill were watching Queen Elizabeth’s funeral when police arrived to deliver the devastating news of Rebecca’s death.
Albanian Investigation and Suspect’s Escapes
Mr. Gannon detailed the protracted legal process in Albania, stating it took over two years to formally charge Kushova with ‘violation of workplace safety regulations’.
A grieving Mr. Gannon criticized the Albanian authorities for their perceived sluggishness in the investigation and the extended delay in charging Kushova. Adding to the family’s distress, Kushova was initially apprehended and detained in Albania, but managed to escape custody on two occasions, eventually fleeing to Norway.
Norway Drug Smuggling Operation
In Norway, the professional diver became involved in a large-scale cocaine smuggling scheme involving 150kg of the illicit substance. Kushova was identified as part of a six-member Albanian group implicated in what was described as the largest single cocaine seizure in western Norway.
He reportedly dived to a shipwreck off the Norwegian coast to retrieve bags containing the drugs, bringing them to the surface. In court, Kushova claimed he was ignorant of the bags’ contents, stating he was hired solely for his diving expertise.
Police and customs officials reportedly caught the gang during the act in April 2023, less than a year after Rebecca’s death.
Father’s Financial and Emotional Toll
Mr. Gannon, still in Albania, mentioned the delayed communication regarding Kushova’s capture: ‘After his escape, the police stated they issued an Interpol alert, but we received no updates for a considerable period.’ He added, ‘We only discovered his arrest and 15-year sentence in Norway for drug trafficking a few months ago.’
He further elaborated on the personal sacrifices made in his pursuit of justice: ‘The last few years have cost me in excess of £53,000 financially and time away from my family. We’ve depleted our savings and had to close our bakery business.’ He lamented the lack of adequate support from Albanian authorities and the British Embassy in Tirana.
Unwavering Determination for Justice
‘I am aware he is imprisoned in Norway and unlikely to be released soon, but I will not rest until he faces court and is convicted for his involvement in my daughter’s death,’ Mr. Gannon declared. ‘Even if I am nearing 80 by the time he is released, I want to witness him in court and imprisoned for his part in Rebecca’s death. I want him to be held accountable for his actions. This has cost me everything. I have even contemplated going to Norway and committing a crime just to confront him in jail.’
Marriage Strained by Grief
Tragically, Mr. Gannon revealed the profound personal cost of his grief, stating: ‘Gill and I were together for 36 years, but due to these events and my extended absences, our relationship is under severe strain. It has deeply impacted both of us mentally. I haven’t fully grieved yet, and I won’t until justice is served. We are not divorced, but it has been discussed. This is all because I desperately need closure for what happened to Rebecca, and I am fighting tirelessly to achieve that.’