North Macedonia drug enforcement and police incidents

In September 2026, the drug combat unit within the Kumanovo Sector for Internal Affairs was disbanded after eleven weeks of unsatisfactory results in combating illegal drug trafficking and distribution. Following a proposal by Director Aleksandar Janev and approval from Minister Panche Toshkovski, all members of the unit—responsible for the Kumanovo, Kratovo, and Kriva Palanka areas—were dismissed and reassigned. Janev noted that “when results are lacking, responsibility follows, without excuses and privileges.”

By October 2026, a violent confrontation occurred during a police operation on the Skopje–Tetovo highway. During the incident, suspects reportedly attempted to ram officers with a vehicle and seized an official firearm. The suspects' flight caused several traffic accidents and injuries, though subsequent searches led to the discovery of drugs.

The Independent Police Union has responded to the incident, condemning attempts by political entities, including the DUI and the Alliance for Albanians, to politicize the event or assign it an ethnic dimension. The union called for a thorough investigation by relevant institutions into all circumstances, including the conduct of the officers involved, asserting that “this type of crime knows no ethnic boundaries.”