As a result of a multi-month pre-investigation procedure, the Department for Suppression of Following a month-long investigation led by the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption, police carried out a coordinated action targeting an organized crime group in several locations in Skopje, Strumica and Bitola on Thursday, arresting 14 people. Among the detained are doctors from Skopje’s September 8th hospital and the University Clinic for Dermatology, as well as owners of private dermatology clinics, and individuals accused of organizing the transport and distribution of illegally imported medicines and medical devices.
In a press release on Friday, the Prosecutor’s Office said an investigation has been opened into 19 individuals and six legal entities on suspicion of criminal association, violation of industrial property rights and unauthorized use of someone else’s company, and accepting bribes.
During the searches, authorities seized a large quantity of medicines and medical devices (including fillers, Botox, and hyaluronic acid), EUR 39.285, CHF 2.490, and MKD 26.000, a Porsche vehicle, a significant amount of perfumes along with declarations for them, mobile phones, and plant material.
“In 2026, with the clear intention of obtaining unlawful material gain, seven suspects formed two criminal groups, later joined by others, using legal entities in Bitola and Skopje as fronts for their illegal activities. The groups procured counterfeit medicines and medical devices (including Botox) from Serbia, Korea, and Türkiye, which they illegally imported into the country for storage, distribution, sale, and application on third parties. Some of the suspects, fully aware the medicines and devices were not imported in accordance with legal regulations and lacked approval, instructions, or declarations issued by the Macedonian Agency for Medicines and Medical Equipment, nevertheless carried out aesthetic procedures, thereby directly endangering the health and lives of the citizens and creating serious general danger,” the PPO said.
