SIPA participated in an international operation

(Patria) - On December 10, 2025, an operational action was carried out in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, aimed against the transnational criminal network known as the "Balkan Cartel". The operation was carried out simultaneously in the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with highly coordinated cooperation between European agencies and local police authorities.

The activities were led by the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany (BKA), in coordination with Europol, while police agencies of the participating countries, including the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), actively participated in the operation.

SIPA police officers provided support in dismantling the "Balkan Cartel" by collecting intelligence, analyzing information, and coordinating with teams on the ground, using SIPA's available databases. A police officer was also assigned to work in the operational headquarters in the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of SIPA.

In this operational action, searches of 45 residential and business premises and movable property were carried out, both in Germany and in other involved countries. Three individuals were arrested for illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs. During the searches, assets worth millions were discovered and temporarily seized, including cash, luxury items, three high-value vehicles, real estate and land, as well as documents, electronic devices, and firearms with ammunition.

Work on the case revealed that the criminal network was involved in the transport of several tons of cocaine shipments from Colombia to Europe, money laundering through companies and real estate in several countries, as well as arms trafficking.

SIPA's activities in this case demonstrate a high level of international cooperation in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. Through its engagement, SIPA contributed to the identification of key members of the criminal network and the securing of evidence, confirming that SIPA remains a reliable partner in regional and international operational activities to prevent and detect the most serious criminal offenses.