More intensive regional police cooperation necessary to tackle organised crime

Belgrade, Nov 7, 2007 – Interior ministers and police officials from the region agreed today in Belgrade that a more intensive regional police cooperation is necessary so as to tackle organised crime.

Serbian Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic told a press conference held after the regional meeting of interior ministers and police officials in the region that this meeting confirmed readiness of regional police forces to continue fighting organised crime.

Jocic pointed out to the importance of preserving the state borders from all forms of criminal activities, thus protecting both the region and the EU countries.

He said that regional police cooperation in searching for Hague indictees will be everyday on an operational level and added that Serbia initiates this cooperation being the country that should end its cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

Representatives from Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia participated in the meeting.

Police seize over 6 kilos of heroin

Belgrade, Oct 29, 2007 – The Serbian Ministry of Interior stated that the police, members of the Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA) and border police have cut off a drug route through which heroin was smuggled.

The statement adds that at the Batrovci border crossing, 6.607 kilos of heroin and 8.795 kilos of paracetamol were found in a Nissan Primera with Italian licence plates, driven by Italian citizen Fabio B. (50).

The drug was packed in 19 parcels covered in sellotape and hidden in a specially made bunker under the vehicle’s rear bumper.

Fabio B. was detained in custody for illegal production, storage and sale of narcotic drugs. He will be taken before the investigating judge at the Sremska Mitrovica district court, adds the statement.