Skopje, 15 September 2025 (MIA) -- The authorities are cracking down on local drug dealers and illicit firearm traffickers, Interior Minister Panche said after 4,000 tons of seized marijuana leaves and more than 100 seized firearms were destroyed Monday at the Makstil plant in Skopje's Gazi Baba.

"There is no future for drugs and illegal weapons in Macedonia," Toshkovski told a press conference.

He said the authorities also destroyed 18,000 cannabis plants; 79 kilograms of cannabis flowers; 21 kilograms of other illegal drugs including cocaine, heroin and amphetamines; and more than 1,000 cartridges and other weapon parts.

By destroying drugs and guns, Toshkovski said, the state was showing that public safety, especially the safety of young people, was being raised at a higher level.

"These are older drugs and guns seized in the past few years," Toshkovski said, adding that even more drugs and guns would be destroyed in the future.

He said the police had seized large quantities of drugs and guns in the recent crackdown on criminal gangs in the Skopje region as well as in western and southeastern parts of the country. mr/