Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski told TV24 on Wednesday that police officers recently busted two international marijuana smuggling rings.
Regarding stolen marijuana, of which only 300 kg were later recovered, he expressed belief that the drugs were exported and sold.
“Efficiency has been high since September. In the past 20 days, we busted two international smuggling rings. We seized 550 kg of marijuana and 100 kg of hashish, as well as 4.5 kg of heroin and 1 kg of cocaine. We’ll resume serious and unselective fight. We give reports on the amount of drugs seized. Of the recently stolen marijuana, 300 kg were recovered, by but the rest is believed to have been exported. We have to make it clear that everyone must answer for their crimes,” Spasovski stressed.
He added that traffic cameras are set to be installed in 2021 on all highways and regional roads, noting that fines will be mandatory for all who violate traffic rules.
“Police officers throughout the country had at their disposal only five breathalyzer and eight radar speed guns, so we had to procure new ones. Cameras are set to be installed in 2021 to record traffic violations on all highways and regional roads. I encourage police officers to sanction all violations,” the Minister said.
He also stressed the importance of traffic safety, noting the need to raise awareness.
“Children should be taught from a young age how to act in traffic. The media plays a big role in promoting our work. 564 accidents were recorded in November 2020, a 20% decrease compared to the 714 accidents recorded in 2019. Moreover, only seven people died in crashes in November 2020, a 36% decrease compared to the 11 casualties in 2019. There’s also a 75% decline in the number of pedestrian victims,” Spasovski told TV24.
