SIPA arrests eight dealers in Sarajevo, Zvornik and Bihać

Police officers of the Agency for Investigations and Protection /SIPA/ launched an operation code-named “Oskar” early this morning, during which eight people are being arrested in the areas of Sarajevo, Zvornik and Bihać for unauthorized drug trafficking, reports the BiH news agency Patria. 

The deprivation of liberty of eight individuals is underway due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that they have committed the criminal offense of organized crime, in connection with the criminal offense of unauthorized drug trafficking, and searches of facilities at ten locations are being conducted, SIPA announced. 

1050 grams of heroin were seized, as well as 800 grams of a mixing substance for narcotic drugs. SIPA also seized a precise digital scale, equipment for mixing and packaging narcotic substances, as well as other items that may serve as evidence in further proceedings. 

The aforementioned activities are being carried out in cooperation with police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton. 

The individuals deprived of liberty in this operation are suspected of having, as members of an organized criminal group, continuously, in the period from June to December 2014, engaged in unauthorized trafficking of heroin and skunk from BiH to Serbia for the purpose of acquiring illegal property benefits. 

SIPA police officers, in cooperation with members of the Intelligence-Security Agency of BiH, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton, conducted a complex criminal investigation lasting several months. 

After establishing the necessary facts and confirming the grounds for suspicion, at the proposal of SIPA, the Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH issued orders for searches and arrests which are being carried out today.