Serbian authorities have seized around five tons of marijuana believed to have been sourced from North Macedonia, highlighting concerns over the misuse of legal channels for illicit drug trafficking, prosecutors said.
The Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office in Serbia said the suspects allegedly obtained 5,002 kilograms of marijuana in North Macedonia between Jan. 1 and Jan. 29, 2026, before transporting it across the border to a warehouse owned by the Spasojević family, from where it was distributed for sale.
Aleksandar Mijajlović has been identified as the alleged organizer. Serbian authorities have issued an arrest warrant, including an international notice, after he reportedly fled.
Authorities noted an apparent link between the legal medical cannabis sector and criminal networks. Media reports indicate one suspect is a co-owner of ALFAFARM, a Skopje-based company licensed for medical cannabis production and processing. While ownership in a licensed company is not proof of guilt, it raises questions about the oversight of the supply chain, from seeds and raw material to storage, transport, and cross-border export.
The operation in Serbia has been described as a record seizure. Ivica Dačić, Serbia’s Interior Minister, said the drugs were confiscated near Kruševac, with an estimated street value of €7–10 million, and automatic firearms were also recovered.
The case poses regulatory and institutional challenges for North Macedonia. Observers say authorities must determine who authorized, monitored, and allowed legal frameworks to be exploited as cover for parallel criminal exports.
The investigation underscores the complexities of cross-border drug trafficking in the Western Balkans, where legal and illegal supply chains can intersect, complicating enforcement and public trust.