Sand removed from Vardar near Sirichino, anglers demand action
Ribolovec‑Vardar says two excavators and three trucks dug sand from the riverbed; police secured machines and prosecutors are gathering evidence.
Local anglers and the Ribolovec-Vardar Fishing Club say heavy machinery has been excavating sand directly from the bed of the Vardar River, causing major environmental damage and threatening the river's fish stocks. The club, which holds a recreational fishing concession and is responsible for protecting the river's fish, called for an immediate response from authorities.
“Illegal excavation was carried out with construction machinery — two excavators and three trucks from a company unknown to us until now. I believe there is a serious need to assess their legality, i.e., whether they were carried out with appropriate permits and the consent of the competent institutions,” said Bozhidar Grozdanovski, a representative of Ribolovec-Vardar.
Police secured machines; prosecutor opened evidence-gathering orders
The club says it filed a criminal complaint and handed over evidence to the police. Tetovo Police did not include the incident in their daily bulletin, but after inquiries they confirmed that officers from the Grupchin unit responded to the report.
According to the police statement, on November 3, 2026 at 16:40 the authorised controller of the Vardar River, B.G., reported that in the village of Sirichino, opposite the "Erebino" barracks, he had observed an unknown person using an excavator to load sand onto the dirt road leading to the river. At the scene police found two excavators without licence plates, one bearing the name of a company from Zhelino. No persons were present when officers inspected the site. The machines were properly secured by police, Tetovo Police said.
The public prosecutor in Tetovo was notified and has issued orders to collect evidence and documentation to determine the factual circumstances.
Under the Criminal Code, article 225-a on Illegal exploitation of mineral resources states that anyone who, without a permit or consent, extracts sand from the beds or banks of surface water bodies shall be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years. If the offender obtains a significant property benefit or causes substantial damage, the penalty is imprisonment from one to ten years.
Photo: press material from the event
