SIPA

Yesterday (21/1/2015) – Police officials of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) apprehended six individuals in “Potencijal” Operation for illicit trafficking in medicines and trafficking in human beings and searched premises at 12 locations in the area of Tuzla, Živinice, Bijeljina, Brčko District, Ugljevik and Mrkonjić Grad. The activities were carried out upon orders of the Court B&H and Prosecutor’s Office B&H and in cooperation with police officials of the Republika Srpska MoI and Brčko District Police.

The individuals identified by initials NĐ (1992), SS (1967), EMI. (1975), MS (1967), DS (1972) and SM (1990) were apprehended due to grounded suspicion of having committed the criminal offence under Article 250 of the CC BH „Organised Crime“, in conjunction with the criminal offence under Article 212 of the CC BH „Illicit Trafficking“, criminal offence under Article 219 of the CC RS “Production and Circulation of Products Harmful to Health” and criminal offence under Article 186 of the CC BH „Trafficking in Human Beings“ .

The searches resulted in detection and seizure of a considerable quantity of medicinal products and stimulants originating from India, whose production, trade and putting into circulation is forbidden unless approved by the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices B&H and other items that may serve as evidence in further proceedings.

Four females, potential human trafficking victims, who were found during searches of a building in Tuzla area, were taken care of adequately.

The Operation “Potencijal“ was preceded by months-long investigation which resulted in documenting unauthorised trafficking in medicines from India in B&H and human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The apprehended individuals have been brought to the premises of Banja Luka Regional Office of the State Investigation and Protection Agency for criminal processing after which their further status will be decided according to the instructions of the competent prosecutor.