Some 626 kilograms of cocaine, and almost 300 kilograms of cannabis, heroin and marijuana stalks were seized throughout Europe in a major Europol operation in which Bosnia and Herzegovina also took part, and 566 people were arrested for a series of crimes, several dozen of whom in Bosnia.

According to Bosnia’s National Joint Contact Point for cooperation with Europol, the JAD operation involved the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the BiH Border Police, the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of BiH, Service for Affairs with Foreigners, FBiH Police Administration, the Republika Srpska Police, etc.

“A total of 3,485 police officers took part in the operation at the territory of BiH,” Europol stated.

The statement added that 17,882 individuals, 7,944 vehicles, 216 rooms, 2,701 packages, etc. were searched in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“As part of the operation on the BiH territory, 36 people were arrested or other measures were taken against them,” Europol said.

Several foreigners as well as BiH citizens were among the arrested individuals, who were mostly arrested for drugs and weapons.

Europol

Europol

Europol

Europol

When it comes to all the European countries where the operation was carried out, the seizures include 84 pieces of automatic weapons, 65 pistols, 59 rifles, 22 mortars, 16 revolvers, and seven carbines.

Six shotguns, four modified weapons, two air rifles, and 20,206 pieces of ammunition were also seized.

Among those arrested, there were 218 arrests related to migrant smuggling, 186 related to drug trafficking, 69 related to arms trafficking, etc.

As many as 22,488 officers participated in the operation, across Europe, and the result was 163 initiated investigations. 215,273 people and 67,277 vehicles, as well as 5,225 postal items and packages, were checked, the statement added.

The authorities noted that from November 13 to 18, law enforcement bodies across Europe acted jointly against arms, drug, migrant smuggling and human trafficking, as well as high-risk criminal networks.

A total of 26 countries across Europe participated in these coordinated operational activities with the support of Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, Interpol and a number of international structures.