OPERATION OF THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF BIH AND THE RS MOI RESULTED WITH THE SEIZURE OF 67.5 KG OF THE NARCOTIC DRUG MARIJUANA ˝SKUNK˝.13 CITIZENS OF BIH AND MONTENEGRO DETAINED. THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF BIH REQUESTED REMAND IN CUSTODY FOR 7 PERSONS.

In a coordinated operation carried out under the supervision of the Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption within the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, Police Officers of the RS MoI have, in cooperation with Police Officers of the Cantonal Ministries of Interior of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, found and seized a  delivery of approximately 67.5 kg of narcotic drug Marijuana ˝Skunk˝.

The seizure was carried out in the area of Berkovići where drug smugglers have resisted but were quickly subdued, brought under control and deprived of liberty. Several locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina were searched and 13 suspects were deprived of liberty in the area of Tuzla, Ključ, Nevesinje, Gacko and Trebinje. Among the suspects who were deprived of liberty were three citizens of Montenegro - one of which, as believed by the police and security authorities of Montenegro and the countries of the region, is considered to be one of the biggest narcotic traffickers in Montenegro.

The seized quantity of marijuana ˝Skunk˝ would present approximately 67,000 individual doses on illegal narcotic market and its estimated worth is several hundred thousand BAM.

Significant international cooperation was achieved in this case with the judiciary and police of Montenegro and Austria, where nine persons were detained in the past within the scope of the same case. The operation which included certain activities on the territory of the Republic of Austria was codenamed ˝Maestral˝. This operation indicates the determination of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH and law enforcement agencies of our country to counter international organized crime groups that smuggle large quantities of narcotics.

The Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH has assigned three prosecutorial teams from the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption, composed of Prosecutors, Legal Officers, Investigators and typists, to work on this matter hence all the suspects were questioned within 24 hours.

Following the questioning of the suspects the Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption within the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH has filed a motion to remand seven persons into custody.

Remand in custody was requested due to risk of flight, as there are citizens of Montenegro among the suspects; the risk that, if released, the suspects might interfere with the investigation, suppress evidence, or to seek to influence witnesses or accomplices; and the risk that they might repeat the criminal offence.

In accordance with the law prohibiting measures were ordered for six suspects including the ban on leaving the place of residence, ban on meeting with witnesses and suspects in the case, as well as periodic reporting to the relevant police station.

The Prosecutor’s Office of BiH will, together with law enforcement agencies of BiH, the countries of the region and the European Union, undertake intensive activities in the fight against international organized crime in the future aiming to establish the rule of law and ensure a safer living environment for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Prosecutor’s Office of BiH continues its intensive investigation in this case aiming to issue indictments.