Man from Buchim detained after €14,440 found in his car

Police from the Regional Police Directorate Strumica – Radovish Police Station detained M.V. (35) from the village of Buchim the day before yesterday after officers found €14,440 during a vehicle search, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Officers on the magistral road Radovish–Shtip first noticed an Audi passenger car with Radovish license plates near the junction for Negotino, driven by M.V., who was already subject to a precautionary measure — a prohibition on leaving his residence — imposed by a competent court because of suspicion of "unauthorized production and putting into circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors" under Article 215 of the Criminal Code.

Stop and search near Buchim

At the junction for the village of Buchim the police stopped the vehicle and during a search discovered €14,440 in various denominations for which M.V. did not provide proof of origin. The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Gevgelija was notified, and on its instructions the person was held at the Radovish Police Station.

The following day M.V. was brought before a judge at the Basic Court Gevgelija, who ordered pre-trial detention for 30 days; he was then taken to the Penal Correctional Institution "Skopje Prison."

Following directions from the public prosecutor, investigators from the Radovish Police Station are taking additional measures to establish all facts and secure evidence related to the suspicion of the criminal offense of "money laundering and other proceeds of crime" under Article 273 of the Criminal Code.

No details were released about any further items seized or possible co-suspects as the inquiry continues.

Photo: press material from the event