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3 clusters · 9 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: CRIME

North Macedonia drug crackdown expands

Entities: Skopje Police Directorate · Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia · Deve Bair border crossing · Kočani (41‑year‑old suspect) · Drug Task Force

Overview

In mid‑July 2026 Macedonian police launched coordinated raids in Skopje, Kumanovo, Strumica and other towns, detaining 12 suspects and seizing marijuana, white powder, a brown powder and related equipment. A second wave on 25 July added five more arrests and further seizures, including over two kilograms of suspected marijuana in Skopje, white powder and metal boxes in Kumanovo, and cocaine and marijuana in a Peugeot vehicle in Strumica. The Interior Ministry confirmed that detailed documentation would be submitted to the courts.

A month after the creation of a dedicated Drug Task Force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a dramatic escalation. Authorities seized 43.3 kg of marijuana, nearly 700 g of cocaine, 141 g of hashish, 691 g of amphetamine, 50 g of hallucinogenic mushrooms, over 500 ecstasy tablets, LSD, MDMA and numerous packages of plant material, and intercepted an estimated 25 kg of marijuana at the Deve Bair border crossing. In total, 241 individuals were detained, 21 criminal complaints were filed against 29 suspects, 131 raids were conducted, and more than 1,900 vehicle and personal inspections took place. The task force said intensified operations and international cooperation will continue.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Macedonia's Drug Task Force Seizes 43 kg Marijuana, Arrests 241 in First Month

    Macedonia's Drug Task Force seized 43 kg marijuana and other drugs, detained 241 people, and halted a 25 kg smuggling attempt at the Deve Bair crossing in its first month.

  2. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    North Macedonia police seize drugs, arrest five suspects

    North Macedonia police arrested five suspects and seized marijuana, cocaine and other contraband in operations across Skopje, Kumanovo and Strumica.

  3. 21 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Macedonia police detain 12 people in drug raids across Skopje and border towns

    Macedonian police arrested 12 people in drug raids across Skopje, Tabankovce border crossing, Prilep, Negotino and Debar after finding marijuana and other substances on 10–11 July 2026.

Sources

balkanweb.com · fokus.mk · lajmi.net · lajmpress.org · libertas.mk · makfax.com.mk · shenja.tv · skopjeinfo.mk · slobodenpecat.mk