Nine people arrested for unauthorized drug trafficking, 40 kg of drugs found, arrived from Ploče to BiH

(Patria) - Police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) yesterday (05/26/2026), in the area of Laktaši, in coordination with police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, successfully carried out the operational action "Ottawa", which is aimed at suppressing international drug trafficking.

Carrying out activities under the order of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SIPA police officers arrested nine persons, 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 Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs" prescribed by the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The arrested persons will be handed over to the further jurisdiction of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina after criminal processing and questioning as suspects.

Residential and auxiliary premises and movable property used by the arrested persons were searched in Čapljina, Kneževo, Teslić, Laktaši, Banja Luka, Zvornik, and in the area of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the search of residential and auxiliary premises and movable property, SIPA police officers discovered and temporarily seized 40 kilograms of the narcotic drug "Canabis Stativa L", which was transported from the port of Ploče, Republic of Croatia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a cargo vehicle used by one of the arrested persons.

Activities are being carried out in cooperation with the police of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republika Srpska, the Federal Police Administration, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton.

This action represents another example of effective regional police cooperation and partnership with law enforcement agencies from the Republic of Croatia in the fight against transnational organized crime.