SIPA

Police officials of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) participated actively in the Operation “White Mercury 3” initiated by Interpol General Secretariat in South East European countries with the aim to suppress criminal offences related to illicit trafficking, protection of intellectual property and smuggling.

The Operation “White Mercury 3“ was carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and Greece in October and was a follow-up of Operations “White Mercury” and “White Mercury 2” successfully conducted in previous years. Security authorities at all levels participated in the implementation of this operation. 

In view of the previous outcomes, the General Secretariat of Interpol initiated Operation “White Mercury 3”. During the Operation and as part of their actions against organised crime and illicit trade in excise goods, SIPA and Indirect Taxation Authority B&H carried out the operation codenamed “List 1” on 14/10/2015. In the operation “List 1” several individuals were apprehended and several locations were searched having resulted in seizure of total 11.875 kilograms of dried tobacco leaves, 1.285 kilograms of dried cut tobacco and two tobacco cutting machines. In addition, considerable quantities of money and other items that may serve as evidence in further proceedings were seized. The Interpol General Secretariat will be informed about outcomes of this operation.