An anti-smuggling operation led by police officers in northern Kosovo was met with the opposition of dozens of Serbian citizens living in the region. The situation escalated after officers began to serve a search warrant at several Serbian-owned pharmacies. Swarms of local residents rushed into the pharmacies, hitting the officers with heavy equipment and burning down several vehicles carrying registration plates from the Republic of Kosovo.
The police were forced to use teargas for crowd control, which brought an end to the havoc. There have been reports of possible injuries from the clash between citizens and the police. Meanwhile, the operation has spread across other cities, resulting in numerous confiscations.
“In the early hours of the morning, the Kosovo Police began to carry out an anti-smuggling operation aimed at accomplishing several strategic objectives in four distinct locations in the country including Prishtina, Peja, southern Mitrovica and northern Mitrovica. In collaboration and coordination with other competent authorities, the Kosovo Police will continue with the completion of their duties and responsibilities on a national scale, with the goal of preventing possible criminal activities that include smuggling illegal contraband into the country as well as destroying criminal groups,” – said the police report.
In the meantime, the mayor of Mitrovica, Agim Bahtiri called on citizens to remain calm and exercise self-restraint.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
