Ten people have been arrested and more than 20 vehicles seized in an operation targeting suspected goods smuggling across northern Kosovo, following a six-month investigation conducted in cooperation with the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA).
The operation, carried out on Thursday, involved searches at 22 locations across the four northern municipalities. The estimated value of the suspected smuggled goods exceeds €200,000, according to Veton Elshani, deputy director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region.
Elshani said the investigation began six months ago, based on information gathered by the Kosovo Police and the KIA. The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Kosovo Tax Administration and Kosovo Customs, under the supervision of the Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica.
According to Elshani, police searched nine locations in North Mitrovica, five each in Zveçan and Zubin Potok, and three in Leposaviq.
Ten suspects were taken to a police station, while searches continued at some locations because of the large quantities of goods found. Elshani said the prosecutor would decide on the next steps after the suspects had been interviewed.
“We have so far brought 10 people to the station who are considered arrested as suspects in connection with this case. After the interviews, the prosecutor will decide how to proceed,” Elshani told KosovaPress.
Authorities also seized more than 20 motor vehicles, including cars, jeeps and two trucks, on the prosecutor’s orders.
The goods discovered during the operation included textiles, medicines, food products and other items. Their total estimated value is more than €200,000, Elshani said.
Suspected Smuggling Route From Serbia to Prishtina
Elshani also outlined a suspected smuggling scheme in which goods were allegedly transported from Serbia through the Bërnjak border crossing toward North Mitrovica.
Investigators suspect that the goods were subsequently provided with documentation intended to make them appear as though they had been purchased in Mitrovica before being transported for sale in Prishtina.
“The suspicion is that the goods are obtained in Mitrovica and then taken to be sold in Prishtina. This phenomenon is of particular interest,” Elshani said, noting that the goods covered several categories, including textiles, medicines and food products.
Valon Preteni, spokesperson for the Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica, confirmed to KosovaPress that the case is being handled through regular legal procedures.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the suspects have not yet been established in court.
