SIPA arrests Indirect Taxation Authority officials for organized crime

(Patria) - Officials of the Agency for Investigations and Protection of BiH (SIPA) are carrying out arrests of officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority (UIO) of BiH. 

SIPA says the operation began at 6 AM and that searches are underway at six locations in Tuzla, Bijeljina, Lukavac, Gradačac, and Lončari, and that the operation is related to the criminal offenses of abuse of office and receiving gifts and other benefits.

"By order of the prosecutor from the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime, and Corruption, SIPA police officers, in the area of Tuzla, are carrying out an operation targeting a total of 6 suspects, employed at the UIO of BiH.

During the investigation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, evidence was collected that the suspects, employed in the Group for Prevention of Offenses and Smuggling, committed corrupt criminal offenses by receiving gifts or other benefits in order not to take official actions they were obliged to take, in order to uncover illegalities during the import of goods into the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After the field activities are fully completed, the acting prosecutor will make a decision on further actions in the case," the Prosecutor's Office stated.

The arrested individuals are suspected of organized crime and abuse of official position or authority.