On 03.04.2026, police officers from the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime within the Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit “Tiger”, carried out an operational-tactical measure “ambush” along the “Friendship” highway near Gradsko, with the aim of preventing criminal activities related to illegal drug trafficking on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia. During the operation, a transport of narcotic drugs – marijuana – was intercepted and a large quantity was seized.
Two persons were deprived of their liberty and taken to the Police Station in Veles.
Namely, police officers from the Department and the Special Unit “Tiger” at the Stobi toll station noticed suspicious movement of a passenger vehicle “Seat Altea” with Skopje license plates. When the driver was signaled to stop for identification, he fled at high speed towards Gradsko. Shortly after, police officers caught up with the vehicle, proceeded with identification, and conducted a search.
During the search of the passenger vehicle “Seat Altea”, driven by F.N., four black bags were found and seized, containing a total of 65 packages of plant material with a total weight of 65 kilograms, as well as two mobile phones.
Today (04.04.2026), the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime will file a criminal complaint with the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Veles against F.N. (38) from Skopje and J.M. (55) from Kavadarci, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of “unauthorized production and distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors” under Article 215 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.
The seized plant material, based on an order issued by a public prosecutor from the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Veles, will be submitted to the Department for Forensic Examinations within the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia.