Arrested Nermin Klopić, head of the Customs office in Tuzla

Members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) BiH continued early morning arrests and raids of housing and other facilities at a number of locations in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Brcko, Bijeljina and Zvornik.

During today's SIPA detained nine persons, of whom 6 faces some deprivation of liberty. These are high-ranking officials of state administration bodies. In this case, the long-time organized criminal process, in which they participated and officials who have abused their position by the unlawful actions regarding imports of various types of goods and outlawed substances and resources, with fines prescribed customs procedures harmed by security BiH citizens and damaged the state budget in the multi-million amount. Raids were conducted at 10 sites, during which he found and temporarily exempt certain amount of firearms, extensive documentation on the assets that suspects have, and that is suspected to have obtained the money comes from commission of the offenses, as well as other financial documents and objects that can be used as evidence in further proceedings (mobile phones, SIM cards, computer equipment, passenger vehicle motrno etc.).

Persons deprived of liberty have been detained at the police station of the State Investigation and Protection in Tuzla, where over them perform criminal investigation, after which it will be handed over to the Prosecutor's Office for further action, announced the "SIPA".

The action SIPA codenamed "Master" during the morning was arrested Nermin Klopić, head of the Customs office in Tuzla.

Unofficially from trusted sources, "Daily Avaz" learned that Klopić was previously a member of the Commission for the sale of goods seized, but was removed from that place, it would then be set to the position of Head of the Regional Office of the ITA Tuzla.

According to eyewitness testimony, the hearing was the head of the Tuzla branch forwarding company "Meridian" from Banja Luka, where he only gave evidence, as well as some owners of shipping companies. The raids are still ongoing, according to sources close to the SIPA arrests are related to the recently arrested Sedinet Karic Sid Srebrenik.

As "Free Bosnia", the following arrests in the "Master" SIPA arrested and Ešref Lekic, employees of the Department for Diaspora Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees. Lekic was arrested by order of the Prosecutor's Office and the suspicion that he was part of a criminal organization Sedinet Side Karic who is charged with smuggling of textiles.

Action continued on orders Prosecution and Court, proclaimed the SIPA.

How unofficially learned "Daily Avaz", within the "Master" was arrested and Šerifović Ahmed, head of the Customs office of Bijeljina. Šerifović and two years ago brought in connection with the illegal activities at the border crossings and customs terminals.

Raca border crossing near Bijeljina

According to the evidence collected in this extensive investigation in the fight against corruption and organized crime, whose perpetrators and officials who have misused his position, ITA officials, participated in organized crime such as money or other types of uses allowed passing lorries and trucks of certain companies without any customs control of goods, and other abuse-related customs procedure. This way, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens has caused multi-million damage, because the evidence collected these illegal activities imports of various types of goods, mostly textiles , lasted for at least two years. Also, inflicted great damage the security situation in BiH, because in this way would enable import and smuggling of illegal substances and resources, said the Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation involved the State Prosecution, SIPA and ITA. SIPA assistance provided by members of the Indirect Taxation Authority, the Ministry of Interior and TK, MUP RS and Brcko District Police.

These activities represent a continuation of the operational action codenamed "Master", which is realized by 26th August, when the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina apprehended nine people because of the existence of grounds for suspicion that they, as members of an organized criminal group committed an offense of Organized Crime in conjunction with the criminal offense of tax evasion or fraud, customs fraud and money laundering.

Activities in this case continues, and on the new results, the public will be informed later, proclaimed the SIPA.

VIDEO : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iP6XmRwSDe4

• 24 Sep, 2013
• 1252 views