What changed
2026-08-16 19:47 UTC → 2026-08-18 22:12 UTC ·
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In mid‑July 2026, Macedonian police launched coordinated raids Following the 14 August international operation in Skopje, Kumanovo, Strumica, Prilep, Negotino, and Debar, detaining 12 suspects and seizing marijuana, white powder, and a brown powder. A second wave on 25 July added five more arrests and further seizures, including over two Thessaloniki, investigations have deepened into the smuggling plot involving 324 kilograms of suspected marijuana in Skopje, white powder and metal boxes in Kumanovo, and cocaine and marijuana in a Peugeot vehicle in Strumica. A month after the creation marijuana. The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption is investigating a dedicated Drug Task Force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported Macedonian citizen who allegedly used a dramatic escalation in activity. 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, truck intended for transporting recycled paper to move narcotics through Bulgaria and numerous packages of plant material. The task force also intercepted an estimated 25 kg of marijuana at into Greece. Prosecutors state 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 suspect diverted the vehicle and personal inspections took place. Operations continued into August, with police to a rented lot in Štip arresting three individuals, including Thessaloniki to coordinate hiding drugs within paper bales. While two Turkish nationals, following an intercepted marijuana sale. On 14 August, a coordinated international operation involving authorities from suspects were detained in Greece, North Macedonia, and Kosovo dismantled an organized criminal group suspected the Macedonian national remains under investigation due to “risks of international drug trafficking. flight or interference with witnesses”. In Thessaloniki, police intercepted a cargo vehicle and seized approximately 324 kilograms separate development, a major seizure in Serbia involving five tons of marijuana hidden within eight pallets of paper, resulting has exposed a smuggling ring linked to medical cannabis producers in North Macedonia. The investigation has focused on the arrest of a citizen Skopje-based Alfafarm Group, where authorities seized an additional 10 tons of North Macedonia marijuana and a citizen over 1,300 bottles of Kosovo. cannabis oil. The group scheme reportedly used involved disguising narcotics as legitimate recycling shipments to conceal drugs being moved from Albania medical supplies or concealing them within items such as pillows, bedding, or cakes to Turkey via Greece. Authorities noted that bypass customs. Two suspects have pleaded guilty, and the estimated illegal profit from this specific shipment is expected investigation has expanded to exceed 700,000 euros. include seven more individuals. This case has prompted a broader inquiry in North Macedonia, with raids conducted at over 40 licensed medical cannabis production companies to track illegal stocks.