SIPA

This morning (11/12/2014) – Police officials of the State Investigation and Protection Agency started the operation codenamed “Oskar” in the area of Sarajevo, Zvornik and Bihać. Eight individuals with following initials were deprived of liberty in the operation: AL (1957), MN (1963), HM (1961), NP (1976), VM (1950), EI (1979), AE (1963) and RB (1968) due to grounded suspicion of having committed the criminal offence of organised crime in conjunction with criminal offence of illicit trafficking in narcotics.

Buildings in ten locations were searched resulting in the detection and seizure of at least 1050 grams of powdery substance resembling heroin and around 800 grams of mixture used for mixing drugs, accurate digital scale, instruments for mixing and packing of narcotics and other items that may serve as evidence in further proceedings.
 

The individuals deprived of liberty are suspected of having continuously conducted illicit trafficking in heroin and skunk as members of an organised criminal group in the period June-December 2014 from Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo to B&H with the aim of gaining illegal profit. Within that period a total of 1200 grams of heroin and 500 grams of skunk were seized on three occasions in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia, and five individuals, members of an organised criminal group were deprived of liberty.

Police officials of SIPA, in cooperation with members of the Intelligence Security Agency (ISA), MoI of the Republic of Serbia and MoI of Tuzla Canton, conducted a months-long complex criminal investigation, which resulted in determining facts and collecting evidence on criminal activities of the suspects. We particularly emphasize the exceptional cooperation and joint efforts of SIPA and ISA B&H in this case.

After determining the necessary facts and confirming grounds for suspicion, at the proposal of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, the Court and Prosecutor's Office of B&H have issued orders for today’s searches and deprivations of liberty.

The apprehended individuals are brought to SIPA premises for criminal processing after which they will be handed over together with a report on criminal offence and perpetrators to the Prosecutor’s Office for further proceedings.