International operation in the Balkans: 50 arrested for drug trafficking using trucks

A joint international operation against a narcotics trafficking organization has led to the arrest of 50 people in several areas of the Western Balkans.

According to a statement from Europol, the people under investigation are also suspected of involvement in murders, kidnappings, the use of firearms and hand-grenade attacks in various parts of Europe. The main phase of the operation took place on October 6, when 42 addresses in Slovenia and Spain were searched, with authorities from 22 countries taking part. The highest number of arrests was recorded in Slovenia, where 34 people were arrested.

The investigation involves nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Netherlands. During the searches, police found and seized 66 kilograms of narcotics, including cannabis and amphetamine, while weapons, money and gold items were also confiscated.

Authorities suspect that members of the network concealed narcotics inside regular commercial shipments and transported them by truck and van to various European destinations. The group used encrypted applications to communicate, including SKY ECC and CryptCom.

Europol reported that conflicts between members of the network, as well as failed drug shipments, were often accompanied by serious acts of violence. Investigators have documented murders, attempted murders and kidnappings, while in some cases the targets also included relatives of people involved in the group.

From February 2022 through September 2026, large quantities of cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine and other narcotic substances were seized during the investigation. Authorities also found weapons and chemicals used to produce drugs.

Analysis of intercepted communications and the evidence collected enabled investigators to uncover other suspected shipments involving tons of cannabis and hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and heroin.

The operation was coordinated in real time from an operations center established in Ljubljana, while Europol provided analytical and operational support to the participating authorities.