Arrests of corrupt customs officers

(Patria) - An operation codenamed "Retro" is being carried out against perpetrators of corrupt criminal offenses, on the order of the BiH Prosecutor's Office. The activities are focused on a total of 6 persons, customs officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority (UIO), who are suspected of corrupt criminal offenses that caused damage to the BiH budget, while they illegally obtained financial gain for themselves.

On the order of a prosecutor from the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, since the early morning hours, dozens of police officers from SIPA's Regional Office Banja Luka have been carrying out arrests and searches of a total of 6 suspects in the areas of Cazin and Velika Kladuša.

"The acting prosecutor, with their associates, is on the ground coordinating the activities of the police officers. These are suspects who are active officials in the customs posts of the UIO BiH, and they are suspected of organized crime offenses and receiving gifts or other benefits. During the investigation in the operation codenamed "Retro", evidence was collected that the mentioned customs officers, during the import of various goods into BiH, illegally reduced customs duties, thereby causing damage to the budget and all citizens of BiH, while illegally obtaining financial gain for themselves. After questioning the suspects, the acting prosecutor will make a decision on further activities in the case," the BiH Prosecutor's Office announced.