The Croatian Interior Ministry announced on March 10 that it had conducted a series of raids against a drug-smuggling cell, arresting 11 and seizing more than 220 pounds of cocaine, 320 pounds of marijuana, 69,929 cigarettes and about $67,000.
Containers suspected of being used for drug smuggling were discovered by customs officers at the beginning of 2017 at the port of Rijeka, Croatian authorities said. The investigation suspected that cartels were involved and spread to include police investigations in Slovenia, Germany and the Netherlands. Raids were carried out against the cell on March 7 and 8, Croatian media reported.
Croatian media said that among those arrested was Stjepan Prnjata, who they referred to as the “Croatian Escobar.” Credit: Ministry of the Interior via Storyful
