Anti-corruption operation in Bijeljina and Brčko: Several police and customs officers arrested

(Patria) - Acting on the order of a prosecutor from the BiH Prosecutor's Office, SIPA police officers, in cooperation on the ground with the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Brčko District BiH Police, are conducting an operation codenamed "Divič". The activities are aimed at prosecuting corruption offenses related to the illegal import of large quantities of various goods, mainly from the Republic of Serbia into BiH.

Searches and arrests are being carried out in the areas of Bijeljina and Brčko District of BiH, and among the suspects are four customs officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, two police officers of the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs, and two officers of the BiH Border Police.

The suspects are accused of unlawful conduct and failure to implement necessary legally prescribed measures during the import of large truck shipments of goods, mostly from the Republic of Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina and vice versa.

In this way, by giving gifts or other forms of benefits and abuse of authority, illegal imports of goods were carried out without customs registration and payment of legally prescribed import duties, and the perpetrators gained significant illegal property benefits.

Among other things, the suspects are charged with organized crime offenses, in connection with smuggling offenses, abuse of position or authority, negligent work in service, giving and receiving gifts and other forms of benefits, as well as bribery.

The acting prosecutor and his team are coordinating the work of the police officers on the ground, and after the activities are completed, they will make a decision on further actions in the case.