OPERATION CODENAMED TARGET CARRIED OUT BY ORDER OF THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF BIH

The operation aims to uncover and prosecute persons smuggling weapons and explosives from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the countries of the region and Austria.

Acting as instructed by the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and pursuant to orders of the Court of BiH, in line with earlier support provided by ISA BiH operatives, dozens of police officers of the Federation Police Department, Sarajevo Canton and Tuzla Canton MoIs, conducted searches and arrests at several locations in Sarajevo and Tuzla cantons.  

Activities were undertaken within the investigation carried out by the BiH Prosecutor’s Office against persons suspected of Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking in Arms, Military Equipment and Dual Use Products.

During the course of investigation evidence was collected that a number of related persons are involved in illegal obtaining of weapons, ammunition and explosives, mostly left over from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as that they participate along with crime prone persons from the region in the smuggling of the above-mentioned weapons to the neighboring countries and to Republic of Austria, where the weapons in question are used to commit criminal offenses.

During the course of operation Target several persons were deprived of liberty in Sarajevo area, Hadzići and Lukavac, and dozens of weapons, ammunition and other pieces of evidence were found during the search of premises and facilities used by the suspects.

Following the arrest the suspects will be handed over to the Assigned Prosecutor who will question them and then decide on further activities.

The Prosecutor’s Office of BiH would like to thank the institutions and agencies in BiH and abroad for assistance in this operation.