Police officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina's State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) conducted searches at three locations in Bihac today, December 10, 2024, as part of the "Algol" operation. Four individuals were arrested on suspicion of committing human smuggling and organizing a group for migrant smuggling, offenses under the BiH Criminal Code.

The arrested individuals will be handed over to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina following criminal processing and questioning. Items potentially serving as evidence were also seized during the operation.

SIPA noted that earlier phases of this operation led to the arrest of five individuals in Bihac and Sarajevo. Between July 2024 and now, the organized group allegedly smuggled over 250 illegal migrants, mainly of Turkish and Kurdish origin, across borders, earning more than €100,000 in illegal profits.

The activities were carried out under the orders of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office. The operation also involved collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of the Una-Sana Canton, the Foreigners Affairs Service, the Ministry of Interior of Croatia, EUROPOL, and the Operational Task Force Zebra.