Seven more suspects linked to marijuana shipments from North Macedonia to Serbia, prosecutors say

The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office said on August 17, 2026 that it has issued a new order to investigate seven additional suspects in an organized scheme to transport marijuana from North Macedonia to Serbia.

Prosecutors say the probe, led since February 2026 in the office's unit for organised crime (GOKK), and evidence obtained through investigative actions and international cooperation with Serbian authorities, pointed to a broader network. The new order covers seven people suspected of committing unlawful production and distribution of narcotic drugs under Article 215, paragraph 3 in connection with paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.

In an official statement prosecutors explained the group's timeline and roles: "Namely, from an as yet undetermined period during 2025 until the end of January 2026, on Macedonian and Serbian territory, the six persons being prosecuted in Serbia, the six persons included in the investigation of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office GOKK since February, the seven newly suspected persons, as well as other so far unknown persons, joined forces for the unauthorized sale and placement on the market of the narcotic drug marijuana. Each of them had a specific role, whereby they themselves or through other unknown persons would take, keep and transport marijuana for its further unauthorized sale and placement on the territory of the Republic of Serbia and other countries. As a front for the illicit activities, a legal entity in Skopje that holds a license for the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes and a permit for the production of cannabis extracts for medical needs was used. The owners of the legal entity from Skopje, one of whom is also the manager, jointly and by prior agreement organized other so far unknown persons from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia to jointly procure marijuana and on multiple occasions to transport it from the Republic of North Macedonia to the Republic of Serbia. For that purpose they used cargo vehicles and customs declarations showing that textiles, food and other types of goods were being transported. After the narcotic drug had been transported across the state border, they arranged for its storage in the locality Konjuh near Kruševac, where the marijuana was repackaged and distributed for further sale."

According to investigators, the same modus operandi was used in at least five transports. Cargo shipments that had been previously customs-cleared and sealed had their seals removed, part of the declared cargo was taken out and replaced with boxes of marijuana weighing roughly the same as the removed goods. The lorries were then driven to the Tabanovce border crossing, usually followed by one of the suspects in a passenger car. The illicit loads were disguised as food products, pillows and duvets.

Serbian authorities filed an indictment on July 21, 2026 against six members of the organized group for international illegal transport of marijuana. The indictment alleges that two of the Skopje company’s owners gave directions and coordinated group members who received and stored the drugs in warehouse space in the Konjuh area; parts of the shipment were later kept in auxiliary buildings at the warehouse owner’s home in Konjuh and repackaged for sale in Belgrade.

Meanwhile, in the procedure led by the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office GOKK, the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje on August 10, 2026 issued two judgments based on plea agreements with two suspects. Under those agreements the suspects admitted guilt and were sentenced to prison terms of three years and six months, and three years and eight months, respectively. The investigation is ongoing and authorities say cooperation with Serbian counterparts continues.

Photo: press material from the event