Pursuant to an Order issued by a Prosecutor from the Special Department for Organised Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, police officers from the Police Department of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, assisted by police officers of the Ministries of the Interior of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and West Herzegovina Canton, respectively, have been active since early morning in the areas of Mostar, Grude and Široki Brijeg, conducting searches of the facilities and vehicles at seven locations, whereas six persons have been deprived of liberty.

An Investigator of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently in the field, coordinating the activities of police officers.

The suspects who are targeted by these searches are under investigation for the criminal offences of Organised Crime, as referred to in Article 250 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Smuggling of Goods, as referred to in Article 214 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Illicit Trade in Excise Products, as referred to in Article 210a of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the course of this investigation, evidence was collected indicating that the aforementioned suspects have been engaged in the smuggling of, and illicit trade in tobacco, cigarettes and tobacco products for a longer period of time.

During the search, a larger quantity of cut tobacco and tobacco ready for cutting, as well as cigarettes without excise stamps and several tobacco-cutting machines were found and seized.

The suspects will be handed over to the Prosecutor in charge of this case, who will question them and subsequently decide on further activities in the case.