Operation in 62 countries worldwide, including BiH: Food and alcohol worth 230 million euros seized

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 61 other countries worldwide, the international operational action "OPSON 6" was carried out. The action, conducted under the auspices of Interpol and Europol in the period from December 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, in the territory of 62 participating countries, aimed to seize illegally produced and traded food and beverages. The goal of the action, besides countering this type of crime, is to protect human life and health, it was announced from the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, reports Patria News Agency.

Overall results show that during this international action, alcoholic beverages, followed by meat and seafood, were seized the most. A total of over 9,800 tons of food and 26.4 million liters of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were seized, with an estimated value of around 230 million euros, during approximately 50,000 checks in stores, markets, border crossings, roads, warehouses, and retail outlets. A number of individuals were arrested during the operation, and many investigations are still ongoing.

The "OPSON 6" operation was carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina from February 13 to February 17, 2017, in coordination with the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH. The operation involved members of 18 institutions from BiH, including: the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, the Border Police of BiH, the Federal Police Administration, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, the Brčko District Police of BiH, the Ministries of Internal Affairs of the cantons of the Federation of BiH, the Inspectorate of Brčko District of BiH, the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs, and the Republican Administration for Inspection Affairs of Republika Srpska.

After analyzing the received reports, it was determined that the competent institutions from BiH seized about 3,500 food products and several hundred liters of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, rakija), with an estimated market value in the tens of thousands of convertible marks. This primarily involved goods placed on the market without valid documentation of origin. In addition, a significant quantity of excise goods was seized, specifically illegally traded tobacco and coffee. Furthermore, a number of illegally traded textile goods were also confiscated.

The Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH expresses its gratitude to all agencies in BiH that participated in the operation and calls for further cooperation in similar actions aimed at combating criminal offenses and misdemeanors in this area of crime.