Serbia arrests 30 alleged drug smugglers in joint operation with Germany
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Serbia arrests 30 alleged drug smugglers in joint operation with Germany, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189d9111.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 14, 2016
Serbian police have arrested 30 drug smugglers and dealers in a 13-month joint operation with German police, Serbia's interior minister said on September 13.
Police confiscated about 300 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs and discovered seven drug-processing laboratories in both Serbia and Germany, Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said.
Stefanovic added that the street value of the confiscated drugs was estimated at 20 million euros, while police also found weapons and money.
Stefanovic said the operation "dealt a huge blow to the organized drug cartels."
The suspects included a Belgrade soccer club fan leader, he said. Three suspects remain at large.
In neighboring Montenegro, authorities have arrested nine members of a criminal gang allegedly behind a recent spate in murders in the UNESCO-protected coastal town of Kotor, a top tourist resort.
Seven other suspects are on the run, the organized crime prosecutor's office said late on September 12. The suspects face drug smuggling, weapons possession, and abuse of power charges, the statement said.
Clashes between criminal gangs have threatened the tourist season in Kotor, famous for its old town with narrow stone streets and ancient churches.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
