SIPA searches 54 locations in several BiH cities, seven persons arrested

(Patria) - Police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) today, acting on orders from the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, launched an operational action codenamed "Golden Karat". Searches are underway of persons, residential and business premises, and movable property used by 31 suspects, at a total of 54 locations in the areas of Sarajevo, Tuzla, Gračanica, Živinice, Tešanj, Maglaj, Cazin, Bihać, Konjic and Kladanj.

- So far, seven persons have been arrested on suspicion of having committed the criminal offense of "Organized Crime" in connection with the criminal offenses of "Smuggling", "Organizing a Group of People or an Association for Smuggling or Distribution of Non-Customed Goods", "Money Laundering", "Illegal Storage of Goods", "Tax Evasion or Fraud", and "Counterfeiting of Marks for Labeling Goods, Measures and Weights" under the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The suspects are charged with, in cooperation with other persons, with the aim of acquiring unlawful property gain, smuggling and illegally distributing non-customed goods, specifically items made of gold and silver.

More information on the results of the operational action “Golden Karat“ will be known after the execution of the orders of the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH.