USKOK launched an investigation against 24 Croatian and one Slovenian citizen suspected of having earned at least 1.7 million euros as part of a criminal association from the resale of heroin, cocaine, hashish, marijuana, amphetamines and MDMA.
The prosecution suspects that from June 2020 to June 2021 they organized a chain of procurement, transportation, storage and resale of large quantities of various types of drugs in Croatia.
The two prime suspects allegedly coordinated the group’s activities, while the other members had precisely defined roles. The drugs were delivered to Croatia through unknown persons, hidden by certain members of the group and further distributed to customers.
The group allegedly resold at least 7.55 kilograms of cocaine, 26.4 kilograms of heroin, 10.5 kilograms of amphetamine, 237 kilograms of marijuana, 83 kilograms of “skunk”, 7 kilograms of hashish and 6,500 tablets of MDMA. In doing so, they earned at least 1.7 million euros illegally.
In addition to drug trafficking, the second defendant is also suspected of instigating the burning of a car in Zaprešić in February 2021, which caused a fire that spread to other vehicles before firefighters prevented more damage.
Uskok proposed pre-trial detention for 20 suspects in order to prevent obstruction of the investigation and repetition of criminal offenses, which will be decided by the investigating judge of the Split County Court.
Police previously reported that they had completed criminal investigations of 45 suspects for smuggling more than nine tons of drugs. In Zagreb, Uskok has already launched an investigation against 20 of them and requested detention for 18.
Investigators suspect that both criminal organizations organized the smuggling of at least 6,688 kilograms of cocaine, 2,520 kilograms of marijuana and 6,500 tablets of MDMA.
Among the suspects, according to the media, are the co-owner of the Zagreb folk club Ritz Mario Gavrić, the former world champion in kick-boxing Marko Benzon and Jakša Cvitanović Cvik, who the media once called the Korčula drug lord. The Zagreb group was allegedly led by Christian Palić, and the Split group by Benzon.
