A joint operation by security and justice institutions has uncovered and halted suspected smuggling activity in which goods were brought from Serbia into Kosovo via illegal routes in the north of the country.
The Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica announced that, following several months of investigations and field operations, goods with a customs value of more than €200,000 had been seized. As part of the operation, 22 vehicles were also confiscated, including trucks, vans, SUVs and cars.
Të lidhura
None found
The confiscated products included food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, cigarettes, medicines without excise stamps, hygiene products and textiles. Clothing bearing protected trademarks was also found, and it is suspected that the necessary authorizations or licenses were missing.
During the operation, 504 live birds were also discovered without documents confirming their origin or health certificates. The veterinary inspector ordered their destruction because of the potential risk to public health.
The investigation was launched in April 2026. The prosecution said that, starting on April 24, special investigative measures had been implemented on the order of the State Prosecutor and in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code.
More than 20 operations were carried out between May and September alone in border areas and in the settlements of the municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvečan, Leposavić and North Mitrovica.
The authorities identified the illegal routes allegedly used to bring goods from Serbia into Kosovo. They also uncovered the facilities where the shipments were unloaded, stored and then sent to market.
According to the prosecution, most of the vehicles used in this activity had been modified to transport smuggled goods by removing the rear seats. When they noticed the presence of police officers, their drivers often abandoned the vehicles and fled the scene.
The latest operation was led by the State Prosecutor and conducted in cooperation with the Kosovo Police, namely its Regional Investigations Sector and the Regional Police Directorate in North Mitrovica, the Kosovo Customs and the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA).
The suspicions concern the smuggling of goods and illicit trade. The investigation aims to prevent the circulation of products that have not undergone customs checks and import procedures, particularly food and medicines whose origin, transport and storage conditions, and expiration dates are unknown.
The prosecution considers that this activity poses a potential risk to public health, damages the state budget and harms businesses operating legally.
The case is being handled as the criminal offenses of “Smuggling of goods,” under Article 311, and “Illicit trade,” under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.
The individuals suspected of involvement in this activity have already been identified. According to the prosecution, the investigation is in its final phase, while decisions will be made after the collected evidence has been reviewed and within the deadlines set by law.
