Police and inspectors raid 66 bars and casinos across the country
Coordinated weekend checks across the country found minors after midnight, unlicensed security, illegal gambling and multiple administrative breaches.
Police teams and inspectors from several state agencies carried out coordinated weekend checks in 66 hospitality venues and casinos across the country, uncovering a range of violations from unregistered activity to public-safety shortcomings.
The operation involved officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' criminal police and regional police sectors, together with inspectors from the State Market Inspectorate (DPI), the Public Revenue Office (UJP), the State Labour Inspectorate, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and the Food and Veterinary Agency. In the controls authorities checked 61 passenger vehicles, legitimised 38 people and established the identity of 31 others.
Findings and immediate measures
Inspectors reported problems including undeclared employees, businesses operating without the required permits, failure to issue fiscal receipts, unregistered business activity and foreign-currency transactions. They also recorded deficiencies in hygiene and fire safety measures.
Criminal police teams and inspectors also discovered breaches related to minors and alcohol, smoking bans and unlicensed security staff. "In one establishment, four minors were found after 24:00, and in two establishments alcohol was served to minors," the Ministry of Internal Affairs statement said.
During the weekend checks three fines were issued for violations of the anti-smoking law, one person was detained after refusing to identify himself, and three foreign nationals were taken to a police station for having irregular stay in the country. In a separate traffic action near the village of Mazhuchishte, close to Prilep, traffic police stopped and detained a driver with 2.04 per mille blood-alcohol content on suspicion of reckless driving under Article 297-a of the Criminal Code.
Police in Kičevo conducted a search at a location suspected of hosting illegal gambling; two people were found and items connected to the case were seized. Authorities say an appropriate criminal complaint will be filed. Officials added that they will continue intensified and coordinated inspections of hospitality venues and casinos to detect and sanction unlawful activity and to improve public safety.
Photo: press material from the event
