More Than 2,000 Ampoules Hidden in Truck: North Macedonian Customs Stops Driver from Kosovo

An attempt to smuggle around 2,000 vials of the medical drug “Gadonans” was uncovered by mobile units of the Operations Department. The Kosovo national driving the truck had concealed the ampoules in the cab in an attempt to cross the border illegally.

An official statement from North Macedonia’s Customs Administration said the driver, who works for a Kosovo transport company, was carrying aluminium profiles from Turkey to Kosovo. He was selected for inspection by the mobile team while passing through the Deve Bair border crossing. When asked whether he had any additional items to declare beyond the documented cargo, he replied in the negative.

Suspecting irregularities, authorities conducted a thorough inspection, which uncovered exactly 2,000 ampoules of “Gadovist 7.5 ml” solution. They were distributed across several hiding places inside the cab: in the upper bunk, in the vehicle’s gaps, above the driver’s seat and among personal belongings.

The Customs Administration confirmed that all the products were confiscated and that criminal proceedings for the offence of “smuggling,” as provided for and punishable under the Criminal Code, had been initiated against the suspect.

“Gadovist 7.5 ml” is administered intravenously during magnetic resonance imaging scans and requires a special import authorisation, as well as strict storage and transport conditions.

North Macedonia’s Customs Administration also reported that a total of 13 cases of drug and medicinal product trafficking have been prevented so far this year, resulting in the seizure of around 29,000 different pharmaceutical units.