Interrogation of suspects detained in "Pat" operation concluded

Interrogation of suspects detained in the "Pat" operation has concluded at the BiH Prosecutor's Office.

The operation is aimed at detecting and prosecuting individuals suspected of having, as an organized group, smuggled cigarettes and tobacco for a longer period of time. By order of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, police officers of the BiH Border Police conducted searches at 19 locations in both BiH entities and detained a number of suspects.

During the operation, a large quantity of cigarettes and cut tobacco, with a market value of close to 200,000 KM, was found and seized, as well as a large amount of cash, which is presumed to be proceeds from criminal offenses.

In the past period, the BiH Prosecutor's Office has conducted several operations with police and security agencies aimed at combating the so-called "tobacco mafia," in which organized groups gain enormous illicit financial gain by committing criminal offenses of smuggling large quantities of tobacco, thereby causing great damage to the BiH budget and thus to all citizens of our country.

After the interrogation of the suspects, the acting prosecutor will decide on initiating a proposal for the determination of custody or prohibition measures for the suspects.