North Macedonia police dismantle 21-member organized crime group

North Macedonian authorities have dismantled a 21-member organized criminal group involved in illegal drug trafficking and economic crime. The operation, conducted on September 30, 2026, was a coordinated effort between the Department for Suppression of Organized and Serious Crime, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and Special Police Operations units, under the direction of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption.

Following court orders, police executed searches at 36 locations across Prilep, Skopje, and Struga. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals. Authorities seized various illicit items, including marijuana, cocaine, a gas pistol, ammunition, large sums of cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and equipment such as a metal shredder and scales.

Criminal charges have been filed against 21 individuals. Specifically, 20 residents of Prilep face charges for the unauthorized production and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as money laundering.