FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2009
CONTACT:
Jelena Cukic Matic
Press Counselor
(202) 332-0333 ext 110
jcukic@serbiaembusa.org
Serbian, US Security
Services Seize
2.8 Tons of Cocaine in
Joint Operation
WASHINGTON – The Embassy of the Republic of
Serbia announced Friday that the Serbian security and intelligence agency (BIA)
and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) seized 2.8 tons of cocaine
bound for Europe in a joint operation that occurred Thursday evening in
international waters in the Atlantic Ocean. The street value of the
narcotics seized is estimated to be approximately $250 million. This is the
largest drug seizer in the world this year.
“This is a prime example of how US-Serbian
cooperation in matters of organized crime, global terrorism and law enforcement
benefit not just our own countries, but the world community at large,” said
Vladimir Petrovic, Ambassador of Serbia in
Washington.
“I am very proud that the Serbian security
services and the DEA were able to work together to keep these dangerous
narcotics off the streets of Europe, and look forward to continued diplomatic
and law-enforcement cooperation between our two nations,” Petrovic
said.
As a result of the investigation,
several arrests were made in