Police bust drug ring, six arrested, drugs in hidden car compartments
Serbia's organised crime unit arrested the ringleader and five members of a group that hid drugs inside modified vehicles.
- Serbia's organised crime unit arrested six people, including the alleged ringleader M. G. (27).
- For more than a year the group hid drugs inside factory cavities of modified vehicles and sold them in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
- Officers seized roughly 2,250 grams of cocaine and 3,200 grams of cannabis, with an estimated total value of around 200,000 euros.
- They also found 74,115 euros, 594,000 dinars and 60 gold coins, along with a revolver loaded with six rounds.
Serbia’s organised crime unit (SBPOK) has arrested six people suspected of forming a drug ring that sold narcotics in Belgrade and Novi Sad. The operation was carried out on orders from the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.
Those detained are the alleged ringleader M. G. (27) and five members of the group, J. K. (23), A. P. (27), I. S. (25), D. S. (23) and S. P. (27). An international arrest warrant has been issued for one more member. The suspects face charges of unauthorised possession and trafficking of narcotics.
How did the group hide the drugs in vehicles?
According to the investigation, the group spent more than a year storing and moving drugs in so-called hidden compartments. These are mechanical modifications to a vehicle’s factory cavities, concealed sections built to carry goods unnoticed during inspections.
The pre-trial inquiry suggests the network had a layered structure, with a ringleader at the top and members assigned to transport and distribution. The drugs were reportedly supplied to buyers across Serbia’s two largest cities.
During searches, police seized several types of narcotics. Officers found roughly 2,250 grams of cocaine and 3,200 grams of cannabis, along with a smaller amount of MDMA. The total estimated value of the seized drugs is around 200,000 euros.
What else was seized in the operation?
Beyond the narcotics, a large amount of cash and valuables was found in the suspects’ possession. The investigation lists the following seized items:
- 74,115 euros in cash
- 594,000 dinars
- 60 gold coins
- a revolver loaded with six rounds
The seized weapon and ammunition add to the charges, as they point to the group’s readiness to use force to protect its illegal trade. All seized cash and gold coins will be examined in a financial inquiry into the origin of the assets.
The suspects have been ordered into custody, after which they will be handed over to the relevant prosecutor’s office, along with a criminal complaint, for further questioning. The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade is continuing to gather evidence, and the search for the fugitive member is under way.
The operation fits into broader efforts by state authorities to break up drug supply chains that link several cities. Hidden compartments in vehicles have become an increasingly common smuggling method in recent years, making it harder for police to detect shipments during routine checks.
How much do seizures like this actually affect the supply of drugs on the streets of Serbia’s cities?
