Major police operation: 23 people arrested in Republika Srpska for drugs and weapons

(Patria) - Police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, in the international operation SEE JAD 2023, carried out by police forces of 26 European countries with the support of Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, and Interpol, apprehended 23 individuals in the territory of Republika Srpska and uncovered 20 criminal offenses, including 15 criminal offenses of "Unauthorized Production and Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs" and five criminal offenses of "Illegal Production and Trafficking of Weapons or Explosives".

Within the operation aimed at joint action against illegal arms trafficking, drugs, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking, police officers of the MUP of Republika Srpska checked 852 individuals and 701 vehicles. 13 rifles, 5 pistols, and 1,370 rounds of ammunition were found and seized.

A total of 710 police officers participated in these planned activities, and the operation itself was coordinated by the Directorate for Organized and Serious Crime of the MUP of RS, with the support of the police administrations of Istočno Sarajevo, Prijedor, Doboj, and Banja Luka.

One of the most significant activities of the MUP of Republika Srpska in this international police operation was the operation codenamed "CODE", in which police officers of the Police Administration of Istočno Sarajevo, together with the Directorate for Organized and Serious Crime, and in cooperation with Europol, apprehended 14 individuals accused of the criminal offense of "Unauthorized Production and Trafficking of Drugs", thereby causing illegal property gain of 2,750,000 KM.

This operation was directed against several individuals who, for an extended period in the area of Istočno Sarajevo, arranged the purchase, distribution, and monetary payment of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, ecstasy, and other substances for the production of narcotics, thus committing the aforementioned criminal offense.

Overall, 22,488 officers participated in the operation across Europe, resulting in 163 initiated investigations. A total of 215,273 persons and 67,277 vehicles were checked, as well as 5,225 postal items and packages.