[REVISION HISTORY]

Police enforcement in Western Macedonia and surrounding-Balk

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What changed

2026-10-31 12:48 UTC → 2026-11-01 12:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Police enforcement operations in the Western Macedonia region and surrounding Balkan areas have expanded significantly, particularly regarding narcotics and organized crime. In Greece, enforcement has addressed traffic violations, drug possession, animal welfare, and organized vehicle thefts. In September 2026, Greek authorities conducted significant arrests in Trikala and Peristeri involving cannabis, cocaine, crack cocaine, firearms, and counterfeit currency. In Thessaloniki, Evros, and Kastoria, police intercepted individuals involved in the illegal transport of migrants toward England and Belgium. In North Macedonia, law enforcement activities have intensified through the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ (MIA) ‘Cleaner’ (or ‘Pastruesi’) initiative. Since September 2024, this nationwide campaign has targeted violent crime, illegal drug trafficking, and cross-border criminal activities. As of early October 2026, the operation resulted in the arrest of 5,628 individuals and the filing of 1,135 criminal charges, with 1,047 related to illegal drug trafficking. The MIA has conducted over 1,100 searches and 158,000 checks on persons and vehicles, seizing large quantities of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and MDMA while disrupting trafficking channels at the Tabanovce, Deve Bair, and Star Dojran border crossings. Recent operations in late October 2026 have focused on large-scale narcotics discrepancies and raids. In Strumica, authorities discovered a shortage of 7,813.49 kilograms of dried medical cannabis at a facility in Borisovo, Novo Selo. Criminal charges were filed against the legal entity and its manager, V. K., for alleged violations of the Law on Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. On October 30 and 31, police conducted raids in Skopje, Prilep, Demir Kapija, Bogovinje, and Štip, arresting 13 individuals and seizing marijuana, various tablets, and unidentified white powders. In Skopje, nine individuals were detained following the discovery of marijuana and white powder or granular substances. In Prilep, prison police discovered powder and colored tablets during an inspection of a convicted individual.

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