Europol’s recent support of Bosnia and Herzegovina has led to a major breakthrough in the fight against organized crime.
A large-scale criminal network involved in drug and weapon trafficking, money laundering, and corruption has been successfully identified and dismantled. This significant achievement is the result of a comprehensive investigation that involved multiple national and international authorities working together to bring justice to those involved in these illicit activities.
The investigation, which began in 2021, primarily focused on targeting a criminal network responsible for the production and trafficking of drugs across the Western Balkans, the European Union, and South America. The initial breakthrough came from Europol’s analysis, which provided crucial insights and leads for the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to follow. The investigation expanded its scope to include the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska, the Border Police, and the State Prosecutors Office, all working in collaboration with Europol.
The exchange of information and cooperation between these various national authorities was instrumental in unraveling the extensive criminal organization, which had operations spanning two continents. Shockingly, some of its members were discovered to hold positions within the national administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the depth of infiltration and corruption that needed to be addressed.
On June 19th, during the eighth action day within the three-year-long operation, the national authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina successfully apprehended six individuals linked to the criminal network. This recent development brings the total number of arrests related to this organized crime group to 38, including eight individuals who held positions within the national administration. Furthermore, with the assistance of German law enforcement and judicial authorities, one high-value target was arrested in Germany and subsequently extradited to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The results achieved by this operation are undeniably significant. Seizures made during the investigation included over 300 kilograms of cannabis, as well as substantial amounts of real estate and cash, totaling a value exceeding EUR 6 million. By disrupting the activities of this criminal network, law enforcement has dealt a severe blow to the drug trade, weapons trafficking, and money laundering operations in the region, enhancing the safety and security of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighboring countries.
Europol played a pivotal role in supporting the investigation by supplying national authorities with vital insights obtained from the suspects’ communications through encrypted applications like ANOM and SkyECC. The takedown of the SkyECC application in 2021 proved to be a critical turning point, enabling authorities to gain access to encrypted messages that shed light on the criminal network’s operations and members.
The successful collaboration between Europol, German law enforcement and judicial authorities, and the national authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina showcases the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime. This operation serves as a testament to the effectiveness of such partnerships in identifying, dismantling, and bringing to justice transnational criminal networks that pose a threat to the security and well-being of nations.
The efforts made by Europol and the various authorities involved in this operation demonstrate a commitment to eradicating criminal activities and promoting the rule of law. It sends a clear message to criminals that their illicit activities will not go unnoticed, and they will face severe consequences for their actions. The success of this investigation should serve as an inspiration for continued international cooperation and collective efforts to combat organized crime in all its forms.
