OPERATION CODENAMED ‘SCORPION’ UNDERWWAY IN BRČKO AND BIJELJINA

The action is focused on persons suspected of organized crime, smuggling of arms, human trafficking and smuggling of goods. Cooperation with the partner institutions of the Republic of Serbia has been established.

Since early morning hours, the operative action codenamed "Scorpion" is being conducted in the areas of Brčko and Bijeljina, pursuant to the order of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This action is targeting twelve (12) persons suspected of the criminal offences of organized crime related with the human trafficking, smuggling of goods and illicit trafficking in arms and military equipment.

An investigator of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is present in the field, coordinating the activities of dozens of police officers from the Police of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Border Police and the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior who take part in the action.

In this case, important cooperation has been established with the partner institutions of the Republic of Serbia. One of the suspects is an active police officer of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whereas in the commission of the said criminal offences there are elements of abuse of office and corruption.

Along with the deprivations of liberty, searches are being conducted at more than ten (10) locations in wider areas of Brčko and Bijeljina, where significant quantities of arms and military equipment have been found so far, as well as smuggled goods of a higher value.

During the investigation, evidence was collected showing that, for a longer period of time, this organized criminal group has been engaged in the smuggling of arms and military equipment to the EU countries, as well as in human trafficking and smuggling of goods of a higher value from the Republic of Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After they have been deprived of liberty and processed by the police, the suspects will be handed over to the jurisdiction of a Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption, who will make a decision regarding further activities in the case.