Eight detained in smuggling probe; customs officer accused of facilitating crossings
Authorities seized large quantities of cash, cigarettes and unapproved medicines after a two-day operation following a January search.
Eight people — including two Turkish nationals — were detained in a police operation that the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption says targets an organized smuggling ring for cigarettes, unregistered medicines and sexual-enhancement products. The prosecution filed an order to open an investigation after a criminal complaint from the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The suspects named in the prosecutor's order are: M. S. (52) from Tetovo; Z. S. (42) from Gevgelija; A. S. (38) from Skopje; B. Lj. (46) from Tetovo; E. A. (55) from Skopje; D. Dj. (46) from Tetovo; and two Turkish nationals, B. A. K. (34) and S. S. (42). Authorities say the arrests were made during a two-day action that followed evidence extracted from the mobile phone of the first suspect, seized in a January search conducted on the basis of prior operational intelligence.
Large sums of cash and multiple kinds of drugs seized
During the January search of the first suspect's home, investigators found substantial quantities of cigarettes and large amounts of cash in several currencies: 30,000 Canadian dollars, 35,000 Australian dollars, 12,950 euros and 69,000 denars. In the most recent raids, officers discovered further cash hidden in two metal safes concealed in a dropped ceiling: 86,200 euros and 16 gold-coloured plates. His vehicle contained an additional 6,465 euros and 62,000 denars.
Prosecutors say the criminal charges against the eight include Smuggling; Evasion of excise payments; Concealment of goods that are the subject of smuggling and customs fraud; Violation of industrial property rights and unauthorised use of another company's name; Production and placing on the market of harmful therapeutic agents; Giving and accepting bribes; and Money laundering and other proceeds from criminal activity.
Evidence gathered so far points to smuggling through the customs line between 2024 and 2026, when the first suspect allegedly moved unreported excise goods — primarily cigarettes — while avoiding customs controls. The investigation indicates that one of the accomplices was a customs officer at the Bogorodica border crossing who informed the trafficker about his shifts, the lane assignment and intensified controls, enabling the unimpeded passage of consignments. Smuggled cigarettes were released onto the market without excise stamps, and some suspects knowingly bought and resold the contraband.
Searches also uncovered large quantities of medicines and other products offered for sale without proper approvals. Prosecutors say the first and third suspects unlawfully imported, stored and offered for sale pharmaceutical products and substances for sexual enhancement. Seized items include preparations for diabetes treatment, cardiac and cardiovascular diseases, neurological and psychiatric conditions, rheumatologic and autoimmune disorders, respiratory and inflammatory bowel diseases, antibiotics, corticosteroids, hormonal preparations, insulins, anticoagulants and benzodiazepines. Authorities also found "kamagra oral jelly" and other sexual-performance products in tablet, gel, paste, honey and chocolate forms.
"By the actions taken, damage has been caused to the State Budget on the grounds of avoided customs duties, excise and value added tax in a significant amount. At the same time, by the unauthorized placing on the market of medicines and other therapeutic products without the necessary approvals, instructions and medical prescriptions, a danger to people's life and health has been created," the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption said about the investigation. The case also covers an allegation that the trafficker offered money to a customs post employee at the Bogorodica border crossing so that a vehicle carrying cigarettes would not be checked; a Turkish national is alleged to have acted as an intermediary in handing over the cash.
All items and cash relevant to the case were seized and will undergo forensic analysis. The prosecutor asked the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje to remand three of the suspects in custody, proposed precautionary measures for three more, and two suspects remain at large.
Photo: MVR)
