Anti-corruption office expands investigation: International group smuggled 138 kg of cocaine within legal cargo
The Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime has expanded the investigation against five suspects on suspicion that they smuggled large quantities of drugs internationally as part of a criminal association.
Anti-corruption office expands investigation: International group smuggled 138 kg of cocaine within legal cargo
The Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime has issued a decision to expand the investigation against five suspects. Initially, in late January of this year, proceedings were launched against seven individuals and one legal entity following a criminal report by the Krapina-Zagorje Police Directorate.
By the current decision, the investigation has been expanded to include two additional Croatian citizens born in 1979 and 1978. They are suspected of participating in the unauthorised production and trafficking of drugs within a criminal association.
According to investigators' claims, the main suspect connected multiple associates between March 2020 and March 2021 with the aim of transporting, delivering and selling narcotics on the European market. The operation covered the area of Croatia, as well as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Slovenia.
The group allegedly transported cocaine, marijuana and amphetamine by concealing them among legal cargo in lorries belonging to one commercial enterprise. Drivers accepted shipments for a previously agreed fee and delivered them to predetermined locations.
So far it has been established that the group transported a total of 138 kilograms of cocaine on several occasions. Earlier discoveries involved the transportation of 127 kilograms of that substance, 10 litres of amphetamine oil and 193 kilograms of marijuana. The value of the seized cocaine is estimated at a minimum of 3.312 million euros.
Following the questioning of the suspects, the investigating judge of the County Court in Zagreb did not request remand in custody because there was no legal basis for it.
Source: Večernji list
Source: Večernji list