Following the information exchange through SELEC channel, between State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Criminal Police Administration within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republic of Serbia, related to operation code-named “NID”, SIPA conducted several house searches on the 12 of November 2025 as part of an investigation targeting to dismantle an organized crime group dealing with international human trafficking.
During the period May-September 2024 the suspects recruited, by fraud, deception, threat, use of force and abuse of trust, several persons, including citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, as well as citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, persons from vulnerable social categories, among whom also minors, for the purpose of labor exploitation in the sector of construction in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The victims were promised work contracts, payment of wages and insurance of accommodation and food, but at their arrival their travel documents were taken away, and they were forced to work without getting paid. The police authorities identified so far eleven persons as victims.
Illegally acquired funds were introduced into legal cash flows with the aim of concealing the origin of the money, thus committing the criminal acts of both human trafficking, as well as money laundering.
During the action day, business and residential buildings and movable property at three locations owned or used by the suspects were searched, during which items were discovered and temporarily confiscated that can serve as evidence of the above-mentioned criminal offenses.
In order to collect information and evidence, cooperation was established with the police bodies of Republic of Serbia, through SELEC, with the support of the Liaison Officers posted by the countries at SELEC Headquarters.
As the criminal proceedings continue, by this time three persons were already arrested by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities.
Photo credit: SIPA BiH