Balkans crackdown seizes €240,000 cash and arrests Montenegrin migrant smuggler
During the pilot operation "Balkans Action Days" organized by Frontex and the World Customs Organization from 20 to 24 July, border authorities from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia seized 221,770 euros, 20,000 US dollars, 100,000 Turkish lira and 2.02 kg of silver jewellery. The operation also highlighted a prior seizure at the Gradina crossing between Serbia and Bulgaria where more than 374,000 euros were hidden in a specially altered jacket.
In Nikšić, Montenegro, border police stopped a passenger vehicle in the village of Trubjela and detained Montenegrin citizen Z. B. on suspicion of illegal border crossing and people smuggling. The vehicle was carrying five Sudanese nationals aged 20 to 27, who were handed over to the Nikšić border police station for further processing. The police said the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts to combat cross‑border crime and illegal migration in line with EU security standards.
Entities: Balkans Action Days · European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) · Frontex · Montenegrin citizen Z. B. · Montenegro Border Police · Nikšić border police · Sudanese migrants · World Customs Organization · Z. B.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Participating countries were Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Frontex and the World Customs Organization organized the pilot operation 'Balkans Action Days' from 20‑24 July. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The vehicle contained five Sudanese nationals aged 20‑27. (a8d6694a-8f9a-4791-a1b7-589585b3dbc2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Frontex said cash and precious‑metal smuggling has remained at roughly the same level for ten years. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Montenegrin border police arrested a Montenegrin citizen, Z. B., on suspicion of illegal border crossing and human smuggling. (a8d6694a-8f9a-4791-a1b7-589585b3dbc2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Montenegro, as a future EU member, treats its border as part of the EU’s external frontier. (a8d6694a-8f9a-4791-a1b7-589585b3dbc2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The operation seized €221,770, $20,000 USD, 100,000 Turkish lira and 2.02 kg of silver jewellery. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The suspects were transferred to the Prosecutor's Office in Nikšić for further proceedings. (a8d6694a-8f9a-4791-a1b7-589585b3dbc2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The pilot operation 'Balkans Action Days' was held from 20 to 24 July. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 374,000 euros were seized hidden in a jacket at the Gradina crossing between Serbia and Bulgaria. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cash smuggling has remained at roughly the same level for ten years despite decreasing use of cash in the EU. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The operation seized 221,770 euros, 20,000 US dollars, 100,000 Turkish lira and 2.02 kg of silver jewellery. (09839bea-7743-43e8-832c-1c17d9b44fcd)