Skopje, 10 January 2023 (MIA) – We have had a successful 2022 in the fight against illicit drug trade, over 2.4 tons of drugs worth around EUR 6 million were seized in the past year, Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski said on Tuesday.

“The confiscated drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and hashish. Twelve organized crime groups consisting of 51 members were dismantled in 2022. We have uncovered over 700 criminal acts, for which more than 800 perpetrators have been charged, Minister Spasovski wrote in a Facebook post.

“Additionally, 20 tons of various precursors were confiscated as well, which were intended for further production of synthetic drugs. It is worth mentioning that 1 ton of precursors were confiscated at the Skopje airport which could have been used to produce amphetamine worth over EUR 50 million,” says Spasovski.

He adds that the largest destruction of seized drugs, a total of 10 tons, was carried out in 2022.

“We will continue with the same intensity in 2023 as well,” underlines Spasovski. ad/ik/