Policemen arrested in Balkans drug trafficking bust

Four policemen were among 23 people arrested in Bosnia and Croatia Thursday for their roles in a drug trafficking ring, authorities and reports said.

Seventeen of the suspects, including the police officers, were taken into custody in Bosnia on “suspicion of being involved in drug smuggling… and (illegal) arms possession,” police official Gojko Vasic told media.

Authorities in the Croatian resort town of Dubrovnik arrested six other suspects, according to Croatia’s state-run HRT television. Police confirmed an operation was underway, but did not elaborate.

HRT reported that the suspects were believed to have bought cocaine, amphetamine and marijuana which was to be sold in and around Dubrovnik during summer tourist season.

Both Bosnia and Croatia lie on the so-called Balkans route used by criminals to smuggle people, drugs and weapons to western Europe.