ACTION IN FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG DEALER GROUPS CARRIED OUT IN BRČKO UPON THE ORDER OF BIH PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

In the course of an action which commenced early this morning, several persons have been deprived of liberty, whereas searches are being conducted at several locations in the area of Brčko District and Tuzla Canton.

Acting pursuant to the Order of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, several dozen police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency –SIPA and Police of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been present in the field since early morning, conducting searches and depriving of liberty persons suspected of the commission of the criminal offense of Organized Crime, as referred to in Article 250 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the criminal offense of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, as referred to in Article 195 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prosecutor and Investigator of the Special Department of Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption are currently in the field, coordinating the work and activities of police officers in the field.   

This action is targeting suspects from the territory of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are under investigation due to the suspicion that they, as an organised criminal group, smuggled narcotic drugs, repacked such narcotic drugs in smaller quantities and then sold a larger quantity of narcotic drugs- Heroin, Cocaine and Marijuana included- in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to the evidence collected, these narcotic drugs were smuggled to the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or to the territory of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, mostly from the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and the suspects were taking part in further smuggling of narcotic drugs and in drug dealer network to Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad.  

Once the searches and deprivations of liberty have been completed, these suspects will be handed over to the Prosecutor in charge of this case, who will question the suspects and thereafter make a decision regarding further activities in relation to the motions for custody or prohibiting measures.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with its partner police and security agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in neighbouring countries, is participating in the activities aimed at fighting international smuggling of narcotic drugs.