Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have uncovered large-scale cannabis plantations during an extensive operation in the area of Drežnica. The Federal Police, operating under the supervision of the Canton of Herzeg-Bosnia’s Prosecution Office and based on orders from the Court in Mostar, has been conducting searches at multiple locations suspected of hosting these illegal crops. According to officials, the discovery followed months of planned and complex operational activities aimed at identifying such sites. Current operations involve searching, documenting, and securing the plants found on-site, with the process still ongoing. At present, there are no official figures regarding the total number of cannabis stalks discovered or other items seized during the operation. Further information will likely emerge once all fieldwork and documentation are completed. The operation has revealed several locations within Drežnica where significant numbers of Cannabis sativa L. plants were growing. These findings underscore the scale of illicit cultivation in the region. While the exact quantity of plants remains unknown, aerial views of some of the fields suggest their vastness. The police continue to conduct thorough inspections and collect evidence in accordance with legal procedures. As the investigation progresses, more data about the extent of the cultivation and potential links to organized crime could surface. In a separate development, British authorities announced the seizure of nearly three tons of cocaine worth approximately £232 million in the port of London Gateway. The drugs were hidden inside a shipment of bananas from South America. Nine men were arrested but later released on bail. Senior investigator Dave Phillips of the National Crime Agency emphasized the significance of the confiscation, stating that the money would not be reinvested into further criminal activity. This follows previous major seizures, including almost six tons of cocaine in Southampton in early 2024 and over one ton in the summer of 2025. These incidents highlight the persistent challenge posed by drug trafficking networks operating through global supply chains. Meanwhile, in Zagreb, Croatian police uncovered a substantial amount of narcotics and weapons during a raid in the neighborhood of Trnja. Two men aged 49 and 50 were detained after police found over 4.3 kilograms of cocaine, along with numerous other drugs, in a garage. Authorities believe the pair had been acquiring large quantities of cocaine, which they stored, weighed, repackaged, and sold from the premises. In addition to the cocaine, police recovered 1.79 kilograms of hemp, 390 grams of hemp resin, 90 tablets of MDMA, and 3,850 pills of an unknown chemical composition, which will undergo forensic analysis. Alongside the drugs, police found a considerable amount of prescription medications, including 1,070 tablets of Normabez, 308 tablets of Subotex, 30 tablets of Praxiten, and 520 tablets of alprazolam, as well as 2.2 liters of methadone in 220 bottles. Equipment used for packaging drugs and digital scales were also confiscated. Investigators suspect the 49-year-old was involved in unauthorized trade of tobacco and cigarettes without proper tax stamps, with 14 bags of cut tobacco and five packs of cigarettes found among his belongings. Additional searches of the garage uncovered 149 cigarette packs and 166 bags of cut tobacco, all lacking required markings. Weapons were also discovered during the search, including an automatic pistol with a silencer, a rifle, and a 7.62 millimeter caliber pistol, along with a barrel with a locking mechanism, a plastic rifle frame, hundreds of rounds of ammunition of varying calibers, and corresponding magazines. After completing the investigation, both suspects were handed over to the detention authority, and formal charges were filed against them by the Zagreb Municipal Prosecutor's Office. The operation in Zagreb highlights the intersection of drug trafficking and arms smuggling, often linked to organized crime. The presence of both narcotics and firearms underscores the risks associated with such illegal enterprises. As investigations continue, further details about the individuals' roles and connections to larger criminal networks may come to light.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Croatia
