Prishtinë, on 25 June 2021

The Border Department, respectively the Investigation Unit from the Regional Directorate of Border Police, “North” in Lluzhan, based on the information provided, on suspicions of criminal activities of “smuggling in goods” and “unauthorized crossing of the border line” from the territory of Serbia in the territory of Kosovo, activated the operational plan “Befasia”, implemented in the area of North Mitrovica.

During the implementation of the operational plan on 24.06.2021, at 19:40, in the village of Ballaban in the municipality of Zvecan, the vehicle ‘van’ Mercedes’ (white color) with Serbian license plates driven by the suspect (DB) was stopped , on the grounded suspicion that there were goods being smuggled from the territory of Serbia.

Kosovo Police officers in cooperation and coordination with Kosovo Customs, made the preliminary control of smuggled goods, and identified as follows:

• About 770 packages of cigarettes with labels ‘SRB’ of various types 770 X 10 =7700 packages

• Over 1000 jeans

• 10 pairs of sports shoes

Based on the initial information, according to customs officers, the minimum value of the goods exceeds approximately 13000 euros, while according to the procedures, the detailed counting and verification is to be done, including the determination of the tax value and the value of the goods.

With the decision of the Prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution Office of Mitrovica, the cases were initiated for “Unauthorized crossing of the border crossings or border line” and “Smuggling in goods”, while the suspect after being interrogated was released in a regular procedure.

The case is proceeded in regular procedure while the vehicle and the smuggled goods handed over to Kosovo Customs.