BIA

	Statements and Publications
			BIA Against Organized Crime And Corruption (2003) 2004
					BIA against terrorism
					Civil control of BIA
					Statements

Until 2002, the problem of organized crime was only partially considered under the scope of former State Security Service (RDB) of the Ministry of Interior of Serbia. In accordance with the determined programme of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in the year 2002, after establishing BIA, this problem was classified among the top priorities of Agencies activities. In connection with that, efforts were made to discover, document and prepare prerequisites for eliminating: illegal international channels of trafficking, distribution and production of narcotic drugs, international channels for smuggling cigarettes, crude oil and its derivates, stealing from domestic refineries, smuggling of weapons, activities connected to illegal migration, counterfeit bank notes and stocks and bonds, severe forms of commercial crime, etc. In that scope the essence of the work was directed towards identifying and documenting activities of important individuals and groups that have the character of organized crime.

Report on the results of BIA activities on organized crime in 2003

December 26, 2003, More than 31 Kilos of Heroin Confiscated on the highway from Surdulica towards border crossing Strezimirovci

December 26, 2003, 50.000 of Ecstasy Tablets Confiscated

December 16, 2003, 6.5 kg of Heroin, 1,420 Tablets of Ecstasy and 36.650 kg Paracetomol Confiscated at Bubanj Potok

December 5, 2003, In two actions 3 Kilos of Heroin Confiscated

November 22, 2003, 140 Kilos of Marihuana Confiscated in Mirijevo

November 19, 2003, Half a Kilo of Heroin Confiscated

November 01, 2003, Seized 62.072 boxes of cigarettes in warehouse in Vojka village

October 10, 2003, 10 kilos of heroin seized near Brodarevo

October 8, 2003, 0.5 kilos of heroin seized near Batocina toll-pay on Belgrade-Nis highway

July 5, 2003, 10 kilos of heroin seized on the border crossing Uvac near Priboj on the river Lim

June 14, 2003, 19 kilos of heroine seized on Belgrade-Zagreb highway, near toll-pay in Simanovci

June 5, 2003, Eliminating the chain of human smugglers

May 11, 2003, Violation of preferentials on the export of garlic

May 7, 2003, 1 kilo of cocaine seized

April 24, 2003, Eliminating the smuggling chain of crud oil and its derivates

February 7, 2003, Discovering the biggest illicit factory for the production of synthetic narcotic drugs in Europe


December 26, 2003, More than 31 Kilos of Heroin Confiscated on the highway from Surdulica towards border crossing Strezimirovci
Official statement: On 26 December in a joint action of the Security-Information Agency members and Customs Administration on the highway from Surdulica towards border crossing Strezimirovci the largest quantity of heroin, more than 31 kilos was confiscated, with the market value of about 1.2 million Euros. The drug was found in a truck with registration plates of Novi Pazar that belongs to private commercial company “Dominat” from Novi Pazar. The truck driver Malic Destanovic from the village Mojcir, Tutin Municipality, living in Novi Pazar and driving on the route Istanbul – Sofia – Novi Pazar and his co driver Omer Mahmutovic from Novi Pazar were detained and against them criminal charges would be brought, because of the suspicion that they have committed criminal act of illegal production and putting into circulation of narcotic drugs from Article 245 of the General Criminal Code. The detainees Destanovic and Mahmutovic confirmed that the ordering party and the organizer is Enes Bisevac from Novi Pazar, who was also arrested – after the order of the investigative judge from the District Court in Vranje. See pictures from this action


December 26, 2003, 50.000 of Ecstasy Tablets Confiscated
Official statement: On 26 December 2003, members of Security-Information Agency and Organized Crime Directorate of MUP Belgrade confiscated about 50.000 of “Ecstasy” tablets logotype “Mitsubishi” – pink and white color. The all-together weight of the confiscated drugs is 10 kg and its market value is about 150.000 Euros. The tables of narcotic drugs were smuggled from Holland by Milan Markovic from Loznica, who was detained because of the suspicion that he committed the criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 245 of the General Criminal Code.


December 16, 2003, 6.5 kg of Heroin, 1,420 Tablets of Ecstasy and 36.650 kg Paracetamol Confiscated at Bubanj Potok
Official statement: Members of Security-Information Agency and Organized Crime Directorate have, in a joint action on 16 December, disrupted at Bubanj Potok another channel of illegal heroin trafficking. At that time in the car mark “Golf”, driven by Miroslav Stamenkovic from Negotin, 6.5 kg of heroin was found, which market value is about 80,000 Euros. Through additional dwelling premises search of Ivica Sirotovic from Negotin, who was the main link of the drug transport chain from Bulgaria into our country, 36.650 kg of paracetamol substance as well as 1,420 tablets of ecstasy were found, with the market value of about 1,500 Euros. Criminal charges were brought against them, because of the suspicion that they have committed the criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 245 of the General Criminal Code.


December 5, 2003, In two actions 3 Kilos of Heroin Confiscated
Official statement: Members of SUP Kraljevo, SUP Novi Sad and Security Information Agency, in a joint action on 5 December disrupted two channels of illegal trafficking of heroin whose organizer was Mehmedin Tutić, known as “Medo” from Novi Pazar. At the city of Bogutovac on the main “Ibarska” road a car “Mercedes” with registration plates from Novi Pazar was stopped. Islam Bilallovic from Novi Pazar was driving the car. In a hidden compartment, 2 kilos of heroin were found, with the market value of about 24.000 Euro. Bilalovic was brought before the investigative judge of the District Court in Kraljevo, who determined a period of one month’s imprisonment for him because he has committed criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 245 of the General Criminal Code. At the same time, Nedeljko Bujihovic from the city of Gornje Ratkovo in the Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Aleksandar Vasojevic from Banja Luka and Sasa Mickovic from Novi Sad were arrested in Novi Sad. In their car “Ford Scorpio” two packages of heroin were found, both weighing about 917 grams, with a market value of 12.000 Euro. Criminal charges will be brought against them, because of the criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 245 of the General Criminal Code.


November 22, 2003, 140 Kilos of Marihuana Confiscated in Mirijevo
Official statement: Security-Information Agency and Belgrade Secretariat of Interior confiscated, in a joint action on 22 November 2003, 140 kilos of marihuana, whose market value is about 21.000 Euro. The drug was found in the basement of the family house of Dragan Ristic in Mirijevo. Main organizers of this trafficking chain that has been functioning for a longer period on the relation Albania – Montenegro - Belgrade are Vukasin Mijovic; and Sasa Suskacevic from Podgorica and Dejan Virijevic from Belgrade. Samir Muric from Novi Pazar was engaged by above mentioned people, for the transport of 140 kilos of marihuana from Podgorica. After the unloading of goods returned to Novi Pazar. During the search of the house of Dragan Ristic, who was detained, a pistol and a shotgun were found, without a valid license on his name. Vukasin Mijovic, Sasa Sukacevic and Miodrag Cenic were detained. Criminal charges were brought against them, because of reasonable doubt that they have committed criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 25 of the General Criminal Code. See pictures from this action


November 19, 2003, Half a Kilo of Heroin Confiscated
Official statement: On 19 November 2003, members of Security-Information Agency and Belgrade Secretariat of Interior detained Ivica Pavolvic, Igor Jovanovic and Dragan Ozegovic, all from Belgrade, on the suspicion that they have committed criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 25 of the General Criminal Code. With them half a kilo of heroin, whose market value is about 20.000 Euro, 10 capsules of methadone and 52 tablets of xalol were found. See pictures from this action

November 01, 2003, Seized 62.072 boxes of cigarettes in warehouse in Vojka village

Official statement:

On 19 November 2003, members of Security-Information Agency and Belgrade Secretariat of Interior detained Ivica Pavolvic, Igor Jovanovic and Dragan Ozegovic, all from Belgrade, on the suspicion that they have committed criminal act of illegal production and placement of narcotic drugs from Article 25 of the General Criminal Code.
With them half a kilo of heroin, whose market value is about 20.000 Euro, 10 capsules of methadone and 52 tablets of xalol were found.

October 10, 2003, 10 kilos of heroin seized near Brodarevo

Official statement:

In the joint action of BIA and Customs Directorate, on October 10 a channel for the illegal purchase of narcotics from Montenegro, intended for users in Belgrade and Nis area, was intercepted near Broaderevo.
In the truck owned by Branko Kadovic from Niksic, over 10 kilos of high purity heroine have been discovered and seized and its value is estimated to about 300,000 euro.
On account of justified suspicion that Kadovic committed criminal act of unauthorized production and putting into circulation of narcotics, he was handed over to the authorized investigating judge.


October 8, 2003, 0.5 kilos of heroin seized near Batocina toll-pay on Belgrade-Nis highway
Official statement: In the coordinated action of BIA and Belgrade Secretariat, on October 8, 2003 one more channel of illegal narcotics distribution was cut. Near Batocina toll-pay on the Belgrade-Nis highway, in the possession of Ivan Kojic from Kraljevo, 500 grams of cocaine, estimated value of 16.250 euro, have been discovered and seized and Kojic was arrested. One day later, on October 9, Kojic's collaborator, Mirko Cerovic form Kraljevo, was also arrested.

July 5, 2003, 10 kilos of heroin seized on the border crossing Uvac near Priboj on the river Lim

Official statement:

In cooperation with the Department for Fight Against Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia (MUP) and the Border Police Station on the border crossing Uvac near Priboj on the river Lim, on 5 July BIA intercepted channel for the illegal purchase of narcotics, which have been transported from Turkey across our country to the territory of BiH.
In the vehicle driven by Nezvad Husovic from village Sebecevo, Novi Pazar Municipality, over than 10kg of heroin have been discovered and its value is estimated to about 800,000 euro. Criminal charges against Husovic have been brought under the justified suspicion that he committed criminal act of unauthorized production and putting into circulation of narcotics.

June 14, 2003, 19 kilos of heroine seized on Belgrade-Zagreb highway, near toll-pay in Simanovci

Official statement:

By continual opposition to organized narcotics trafficking, BIA discovered that the territory of Serbia was the transit area for one illegal channel, by which delivery of heroin from Turkey, across Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece, to the countries of Western Europe had been regularly performed. After gaining knowledge that organized international criminal group, consisted of citizens of SCG, BiH, Macedonia and Turkey, planes to transfer bigger amounts of heroin by this channel, BIA, in cooperation with MUP R. Serbia - Secretariat in Belgrade, on 14 June organized action to cut above-mentioned incriminated activities.
On that occasion, record amount of heroin was seized (19 kilos) and citizen of SCG Miodrag Brajovic, as well as citizens of Macedonia, Mirvet Kurtis and Vladimir Gapo, was arrested. Criminal charges will be brought against them, under the justified suspicion that they committed criminal act of unauthorized production and putting into circulation of narcotics.


June 5, 2003, Eliminating the chain of human smugglers
Announced news on "Radio B-92" on June 05, 2003. "The group was involved in securing the illegal immigration of people from Pakistan and Afro-Asian countries into Western Europe." "Arrested today was Pakistani Mulazim Shah, together with a number of others, including several citizens of Serbia-Montenegro." "The intelligence service prevented the illegal crossing of a group of Pakistanis at the Croatian border before arresting gang members in Belgrade and a number of other Serbian cities."


May 11, 2003, Violation of preferentials on the export of garlic
Announced news on "Radio B-92" on May 11, 2003. "Security Information Agency of the Republic of Serbia hindered the attempt of Bahrije Beganovic allias "Lutka" the owner of the company "Vocar-Lutka" from Velika Zupa near Prijepolje, to export food products using foreign trade preferentials of Serbia and Montenegro. BIA gave a statement that Beganovic together with partners from Montenegro and Italy organized import of 2.500 tons of garlic produced in China, with the aim to export it to EU contries benefiting from foreing trade preferentials, which the EU granted to Serbia and Montenegro. From export of mentioned sum of garlic, Beganovic would profit app. ˆ 1 million." "It is acknowledged in the statement that Beganovic planed three days ago to export 63 tons of garlic to Italy, which he previously imported, and repacked with the sing of his company on the packages "Vocar-Lutka". On the necessary customs documents he put false data on the origin of goods. This quantity of garlic was confiscated because of a joint action of BIA and the Organized Crime Directorate and undoubtedly, irregularities in the dealings of Beganovic were established from the found documentation."

May 7, 2003, 1 kilo of cocaine seized

Official statement:

In cooperation with Department for Fight Against Organized Crime (UBPOK), on May 7, 2003 BIA cut off the channel of cocaine smuggling where people from Feketic, Lovcenac, Vrbas and Novi Sad were engaged.
On that occasion, 1 kilo of high purity cocaine was seized, estimating value about 40 thousand euro. Criminal charges against group members Milorad Ivanovic from Feketic, Veselin Martinovic from Vrbas and Dragan Stanisic from Feketic were brought, according to Article 245 of the Criminal Procedure Act of FRY (production and putting into circulation of narcotics). Against Ivanovic were also brought criminal charges according to Article 33 Paragraph 1 of the Weapon and Ammunition Act.

(View video record on ".AVI" (DivX) (3 MB) or "Real Media .rm" (Real) (910 КB) format in duration of app. one and a half minute)


April 24, 2003, Eliminating the smuggling chain of crud oil and its derivates
Excerpt from daily "Blic" from April 24, 2003 "BIA pursued for several month international smuggling channels of crud oil derivates and discovered that a bigger organization existed, which was for a longer period stealing and reselling enormous amounts of crud oil derivates from Pancevo refinery." "Pancevo Police and Security Information Agency eliminated the smuggling chain of crud oil and arrested a group of persons suspected that they were stealing and reselling crude oil derivates. That group has during the period of January 1, 2001 until April 5, 2003 stolen and resold more than 27 million liter of different crud oil derivates from the Pancevo refinery. Thus they profited app. YUD 1 billion, i.e. app. ˆ 17 million." "It was established that the group consisted of individuals employed in the section "Refining and Manipulation" of the Pancevo branch of "Jugoinspect", JRB, owners of certain petrol stations, group of local smugglers and some police officers."

February 7, 2003, Discovering the biggest illicit factory for the production of synthetic narcotic drugs in Europe

Excerpt from daily "Blic" from February 7, 2003

"In the action conducted by the Belgrade Police, Security Information Agency and Special Antiterrorist Unit, during the past few days, the biggest illicit factory for the production of synthetic narcotic drugs in Europe."
"The police action lasted approximately one year; BIA members were in charge and in the mean time colleagues from other units joined, the American DEA and National Biro of Interpol also played an important role."
"In the biggest action of the Serbian Police under the name "Beograd" (Belgrade), 312 policemen from SUP Belgrade, 98 members from BIA and 30 policemen from SAJ participated and not one single data leaked out."
"During the raid of the illicit laboratory in Stara Pazova, Nova Pazova and Simanovci, as well as the investigation of 35 objects, the police found over 2 million tablets of synthetic narcotic drugs and a large quantity of substances for its production."
"More then 30 individuals were detained, of whom 18 were arrested upon the order of investigating judge and the value of the discovered narcotic drugs and substances for its production is estimated for more than ˆ 10 million."
"The chief organizer for the narcotic drug production in the illicit laboratories is the Belgrade doctor Milan Zarubica, and the narcotics were not intended for the domestic market but the market of Far East."
"According to police information, the laboratories were working for approximately two to three years, and for that period of time it was possible to profit approximately ˆ 50 millions for the production and sale of synthetic narcotic drugs that this group was engaged in."

(Video record of the compound and laboratories situated inside, where the production of synthetic narcotic drugs took place as well as the look of raw substances and final products that you can see on ".AVI" (DivX)(1.5 MB) or "Real Media .rm" (Real) (1.8 MB) format in duration of app. one and a half minute)