Eight persons were arrested in Sarajevo area on Thursday under suspicion of being involved in the illicit cigarette trade. They are all employees of Bosnia's largest cigarette producer Sarajevo Tobacco Factory (FDS).

Acting upon order of the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, police conducted an operation codenamed FDS on Thursday, arresting first six and then two more persons, suspected of illegal cigarette trade. Police also conducted raids, discovering larger quantities of tobacco, cigarettes, as well as certain sums of money, weapon, mobile phones and other items linked to this criminal offence.

Two suspects have been handed over to the Prosecutor's Office, the police confirmed.

Sarajevo Tobacco Factory expressed full support to the officers of the Federal Ministry of Interior and other institutions in charge of combatting the illegal tobacco trade.

“We thank the public and media for understanding that we are not able to give details of the operation while the investigation is ongoing, and we once again express our full commitment to contribute to combatting of any sort of illegal activities and will give our full contribution as we always do,” said FDS.