A large-scale counter-narcotics and anti-money laundering operation, codenamed “Qielli i Thyer” (Broken Sky), was carried out on Tuesday morning across multiple regions in Kosovo, resulting in the arrest of 22 individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal assets. 

“The persons were arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of ‘organized crime’ in connection with narcotics trafficking and money laundering. The defendants are suspected of having committed the crimes through the ‘SkyECC’ application,” reads a joint press release by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Kosovo Police.

“The operation mobilised around 600 police officers who conducted raids across 47 locations in the regions of Pristina, Prizren, Peje, and Gjilan,” it continues.

Searches at the targeted locations uncovered evidence and illicit assets, including: large quantities of illegal narcotics, 29 vehicles, 134,900 euros in cash, 20,040 Swiss francs, 490 US Dollars, 13,000 in counterfeit currency, 9 luxury wristwatches, 36 firearms of various types, 1,569 rounds of ammunition, 1,292 units of different munitions, a hydraulic press used for packaging heroin and cocaine, numerous laptops, mobile phones, USB devices, and various documents.

In addition, the communique announced they would be legally freezing approximately 400,000 euros in assets across multiple bank accounts, as well as all of the real estate properties owned by the suspects.

The “Broken Sky” operation was conducted with international cooperation and support from law enforcement agencies in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as Europol.