Detention proposed for suspects in arms and drug smuggling

After the prosecutor examined the suspects, a proposal was submitted to order detention for suspects Kahvedžić Esad, aka "Eso", born in 1965 in Odžak, and Žarkić Stevan, born in 1964 in  Donji Žabar.

Detention was proposed due to the risk that, if released, the suspects might obstruct the investigation, conceal evidence, and influence witnesses or accomplices, and that, if released, they might commit a new criminal offense or complete one already begun.

In an operation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina with partner police and security agencies and in cooperation with colleagues from Austria, an organized criminal group was uncovered that was involved in acquiring weapons and explosive devices left over from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and smuggling these weapons to Austria and EU countries, with the intention that they be used to commit criminal offenses in those countries.

During searches carried out at multiple locations, a large quantity of automatic weapons, hand-held launchers, bombs and grenades, ammunition, explosives, landmines, and other military equipment was found.

The suspects are also under investigation for smuggling narcotic drugs from EU countries into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The proposal for detention measures has been forwarded to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and an intensive investigation in the case continues.