On 17/18 October 2026, the Department for Criminal Police, in cooperation with the Internal Affairs Sectors and in coordination with the competent inspection services, conducted inspections at 66 hospitality venues and casinos, identifying a number of irregularities.
Police officers checked the identity documents of 38 individuals, searched 61 individuals and one passenger motor vehicle, and established the identities of 31 individuals.
During the inspections, one individual was found performing security activities at a venue without a licence or identification card, while a public order disturbance was recorded at another venue. Three fines were issued for violations of the Law on Protection from Smoking.
One individual was detained for refusing to identify themselves, while three foreign nationals were detained for having unregulated residence status in the country. Four minors were found at one venue after midnight, and two venues were found serving alcohol to minors.
On the road near the village of Mazhuchishte, in the Prilep area, police stopped a driver operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, with a measured blood alcohol concentration of 2.04 per mille. The individual was deprived of liberty on suspicion of committing the criminal offence of “Reckless Driving of a Motor Vehicle”, under Article 297-a of the Criminal Code.
As part of these activities, the Kichevo Department of Internal Affairs conducted a search at a location where games of chance were being organised illegally. Two individuals were found at the location, and items related to the case were seized. Following the full documentation of the case, appropriate charges will be filed.
The inspections also involved the State Market Inspectorate, the Public Revenue Office, the State Labour Inspectorate, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, and the Food and Veterinary Agency. Their services identified irregularities related to undeclared workers, operating without the required permits, failure to issue fiscal receipts, unregistered business activities, foreign currency transactions, as well as deficiencies in hygiene standards and fire safety. Appropriate measures and sanctions were imposed.
The Ministry of Interior will continue conducting enhanced and coordinated inspections of hospitality venues and casinos in cooperation with the competent institutions, with the aim of detecting and sanctioning illegal activities, ensuring consistent compliance with the law, and improving public safety.