SIPA

Early this morning (13/7/2015) – Police officials of the State Investigation and Protection Agency have started the operation codenamed “List” into organised crime in cooperation with the Indirect Taxation Authority B&H (ITA). The operation is preceded by a complex months-long investigation.

31 locations in the area of Široki Brijeg, Posušje, Šamac, Brčko distrikt, Grude, Maglaj, Bijeljina, Mostar, Ljubuški and Ljubinje were searched on grounded suspicion of commission of the criminal offence of organised crime in conjunction with criminal offences of tax evasion or fraud, abuse of official position or authority, accepting gifts and other forms of benefits and giving gifts and other forms of benefits. 29 facilities of physical persons and two facilities of legal persons were searched.

The searches resulted in discovery and seizure of around 35 tons of tobacco, several cutting machines, and 150 boxes of cigarettes without proper documentation about origin, considerable amount of money, certain documentation and other items that may serve as evidence in further proceedings.

SIPA police officials invited 33 individuals to SIPA premises to be interrogated as suspects, after which their status will be decided upon the instructions of the acting prosecutor. Four individuals have been deprived of liberty so far.

The activities have been carried out in cooperation with members of the Republika Srpska MoI, Police of Brčko District, Zenica Doboj Canton MoI, Herzegovina Neretva Canton MoI and Western Herzegovina Canton MoI.