FUP conducts major security operation at Blazuj Reception Center, one person arrested

The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Service for Foreigners' Affairs, to strengthen security and prevent and suppress criminal offenses related to illegal migration and organized criminal activity.

This operational action represents a continuation of previously initiated activities by the FBiH Police Administration, which, under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is implementing measures and actions to document the activities of organized criminal groups, primarily those composed of persons of Afghan origin, who have recently been linked to criminal offenses such as migrant smuggling, kidnappings and extortion in the Una-Sana Canton and the Sarajevo Canton.

Accordingly, the planned and executed raid aimed at preventive and repressive action through comprehensive inspections of facilities and individuals, verification of compliance with applicable legal regulations, identification of persons and the legality of their stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the discovery of items originating from criminal offenses or that could be used in their commission, including items whose possession is prohibited by law.

During the operation, detailed inspections of accommodation facilities within the Center were carried out, covering approximately 400 persons of Afro-Asian origin.

As part of the inspection and identification process, two Syrian nationals were found for whom there is operational intelligence suggesting possible links to the organized criminal group 'Al Sarawi', composed of Syrian nationals and associated with migrant smuggling on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, one security-interest person of Azerbaijani nationality was identified. In accordance with legal authorities, these individuals were placed by officers of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs in the Immigration Center in East Sarajevo for further processing and checks.

In addition, during the inspection of accommodation facilities, a certain quantity of narcotic drugs was found, as a result of which one person was deprived of liberty. All legally prescribed measures and actions will be taken against this individual in cooperation with the competent prosecutor’s office, the FUP said in a statement.