16 persons arrested for migrant smuggling

Police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, acting on the order of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted an extensive investigative activity codenamed “Albatros”.

Within the framework of the aforementioned operation, 16 persons were deprived of liberty on suspicion of having committed the criminal offense of „Organizing a group or association for migrant smuggling“ under Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in connection with the criminal offense of „Human smuggling“ under Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In order to find material traces and evidence to be used in criminal proceedings, searches were conducted at 14 locations in the area of Sarajevo Canton, Una-Sana Canton and Tuzla Canton. Simultaneously, in the area of the aforementioned cantons, officers of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs carried out inspections at eight facilities, based on information that illegal migrants were accommodated there.

 During the work on the case and the implementation of the operation, operational cooperation was established with police officers of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry of Interior of Tuzla Canton, the Ministry of Interior of Central Bosnia Canton, the Ministry of Interior of Una-Sana Canton, the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, under the auspices of Europol, excellent international cooperation was achieved.

Given that operational activities are still ongoing, more detailed information will be provided in the coming period.