Criminal activity and law enforcement in the Balkans

Criminal activities and law enforcement actions involving various actors across the Balkans and parts of Europe continue to be documented.

In Kosovo and Albania, reports include the arrest of an individual wanted for narcotics, robbery, and weapons possession at Adem Jashari International Airport, as well as the seizure of luxury vehicles suspected of being acquired through money laundering in Vlora. Other incidents involved an armed robbery in Rahovec and a workplace safety investigation in Shtime.

Recent law enforcement operations have expanded to target drug trafficking, usury, and fraud. In Austria, the Graz Regional Court heard cases against Slovenian and Serbian nationals involved in an international car leasing fraud scheme that used falsified documents to lease and resell vehicles across several Austrian provinces and the Balkans.

In Montenegro, police are investigating 22 separate cases of usury involving suspected debt slavery through threats and extortion. Additionally, Budva police arrested a Serbian national using false Croatian identity documents during a drug bust involving marijuana, hashish, and ecstasy.

In Croatia, authorities in Zagreb arrested two Serbian nationals for a series of thefts targeting shops and gas stations, causing over 20,000 euros in damages. In Rijeka, local clubs have distanced themselves from illegal car gatherings organized by external groups.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prosecutor's Office has filed indictments against individuals accused of laundering money from drug and arms trafficking through real estate and luxury vehicle purchases. Furthermore, in the Tuzla Canton, police conducted raids to combat illegal coal mining, seizing machinery and significant amounts of cash.