Four detained for illegal gold-digging near Kalište, Gostivar
Police from the Galate unit found four people excavating for gold at 20:20 in the Kalište area; equipment was confiscated.
Four people were detained overnight after police discovered an unauthorized excavation aimed at finding gold in the Gostivar area, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.
Where and when
The arrests happened at 20:20 in the village of Kalište, at a location locally known as "Guri Sokoleci", where officers from the Galate Police Department found the group in the act.
Authorities identified the detainees as N.S. (63) from the village of Džepčište, M.D. (55) from the village of Čelopek, and Z.M. (72) and N.K. (78) from the village of Vrapčište. Police seized a metal detector, shovels, hand picks and other tools at the scene.
The Ministry said the suspects are suspected of committing a criminal offense under Article 264 of the Criminal Code — "damage or destruction of goods under temporary protection or natural rarities."
All four were taken to a police station and held. The Ministry added that, once the case is documented, an appropriate charge sheet will be filed.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued the statement today confirming the operation and the items removed from the site.
Photo: press material from the event
