Some of the illegally imported medicines seized during the police operation were intended for sale in Macedonia, while others were destined for a foreign market, Macedonian Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski told reporters Wednesday.
“Some were for the Macedonian market, while others, according to the initial information, were for the market in our neighboring country,” Toshkovski said in response to a reporter’s question following a dialogue session of the National Convention on the European Union.
According to the minister, the case is the result of a prolonged investigation and prior operational activities, during which mobile phones were seized and forensic analyses were conducted. The additional evidence obtained, he noted, led to the new police actions and the exposure of the criminal group.
According to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the group operated between 2024 and 2026; the primary suspect organized the illegal importation and storage of cigarettes and tobacco, as well as their subsequent resale. Police state that by bribing a customs officer, the group facilitated the transport of goods across the customs border without declaration or payment of duties, as well as the illegal importation of medicines and supplements intended for sale.
The eight suspects have been reported for multiple criminal offenses, including smuggling, concealment of smuggled goods, tax evasion, bribery (both receiving and giving), production and distribution of harmful medicinal products, and money laundering.