Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE178
2008-03-06 07:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIA: "OPERATION DRAGON" BUSTS TIP NETWORK
how-toVZCZCXYZ0084 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSQ #0178 0660732 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 060732Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7147 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE 0240 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2218 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
UNCLAS SKOPJE 000178
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE; STATE FOR G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: "OPERATION DRAGON" BUSTS TIP NETWORK
REF: 2007 SKOPJE 991 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY
UNCLAS SKOPJE 000178
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE; STATE FOR G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: "OPERATION DRAGON" BUSTS TIP NETWORK
REF: 2007 SKOPJE 991 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY
1. (SBU) The conclusion of the anti-trafficking "Operation
Dragon" led to the arrest of 15 Macedonian citizens on
trafficking-in-persons (TIP) charges on March 3. The
National Anti-TIP Commission credits the use of special
investigative measures for the success of the operation and
for the collection of evidence against the alleged
traffickers. All 15 suspected traffickers are in 30-day
detention awaiting trial for "organizing a group for TIP" and
"migrant smuggling." End summary.
ANTI-TIP OPERATION YIELDS 18 VICTIMS OF LABOR
EXPLOITATION/ILLEGAL MIGRANTS...
2. (SBU) National Anti-TIP Commission Secretary Kiro
Todorovski reviewed with us the anti-TIP "Operation Dragon"
on March 5. The operation, which commenced in December 2007,
involved four months of intensive police surveillance and the
use of special investigative measures which revealed the
smuggling of 14 Chinese and four Albanian citizens. Four of
the Chinese migrants, including two children, were arrested
during the conclusion of the operation and are currently at
the government-run Shelter Transit Center for foreign
victims. According to the material collected by the police,
the trafficking route originated in Serbia and ran through
Macedonia into Greece. The TIP gang charged Euros 1,000 for
the transfer of a Chinese citizen and Euros 600 for an
Albanian.
...15 SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF AN ELABORATE TIP NETWORK
3. (SBU) Video evidence obtained by police shows a
well-organized TIP network with four ring-leaders and 12
other persons engaged in providing logistical support for the
operation. (Note: One of the suspects is still at large. End
note.) Fifteen of the participants in the TIP ring were
arrested on March 3. An investigative judge has ordered a
30-day pre-trial detention for the suspects and issued a
search warrant. On the basis of the search warrant, the
police collected additional evidence from 12 houses related
to the alleged traffickers, and confiscated eight vehicles.
The special Organized Crime Prosecutor will prosecute the
case on the basis of Criminal Code Art. 418b ("smuggling of
migrants") and Art. 418c ("organizing a group for TIP or
smuggling"). If convicted, the main suspects could be
sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
COMMENT
4. (SBU) The completion of "Operation Dragon," which came
just a few days after a February 21 high-level anti-TIP event
opened by the Prime Minister, shows the Macedonian
government's continued determination to combat TIP and
prosecute traffickers. Post will press the government to
speed up prosecutions in this most recent TIP case, and to
ensure that any convictions are in fact accompanied by stiff
sentences.
NAVRATIL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE; STATE FOR G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: "OPERATION DRAGON" BUSTS TIP NETWORK
REF: 2007 SKOPJE 991 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY
1. (SBU) The conclusion of the anti-trafficking "Operation
Dragon" led to the arrest of 15 Macedonian citizens on
trafficking-in-persons (TIP) charges on March 3. The
National Anti-TIP Commission credits the use of special
investigative measures for the success of the operation and
for the collection of evidence against the alleged
traffickers. All 15 suspected traffickers are in 30-day
detention awaiting trial for "organizing a group for TIP" and
"migrant smuggling." End summary.
ANTI-TIP OPERATION YIELDS 18 VICTIMS OF LABOR
EXPLOITATION/ILLEGAL MIGRANTS...
2. (SBU) National Anti-TIP Commission Secretary Kiro
Todorovski reviewed with us the anti-TIP "Operation Dragon"
on March 5. The operation, which commenced in December 2007,
involved four months of intensive police surveillance and the
use of special investigative measures which revealed the
smuggling of 14 Chinese and four Albanian citizens. Four of
the Chinese migrants, including two children, were arrested
during the conclusion of the operation and are currently at
the government-run Shelter Transit Center for foreign
victims. According to the material collected by the police,
the trafficking route originated in Serbia and ran through
Macedonia into Greece. The TIP gang charged Euros 1,000 for
the transfer of a Chinese citizen and Euros 600 for an
Albanian.
...15 SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF AN ELABORATE TIP NETWORK
3. (SBU) Video evidence obtained by police shows a
well-organized TIP network with four ring-leaders and 12
other persons engaged in providing logistical support for the
operation. (Note: One of the suspects is still at large. End
note.) Fifteen of the participants in the TIP ring were
arrested on March 3. An investigative judge has ordered a
30-day pre-trial detention for the suspects and issued a
search warrant. On the basis of the search warrant, the
police collected additional evidence from 12 houses related
to the alleged traffickers, and confiscated eight vehicles.
The special Organized Crime Prosecutor will prosecute the
case on the basis of Criminal Code Art. 418b ("smuggling of
migrants") and Art. 418c ("organizing a group for TIP or
smuggling"). If convicted, the main suspects could be
sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
COMMENT
4. (SBU) The completion of "Operation Dragon," which came
just a few days after a February 21 high-level anti-TIP event
opened by the Prime Minister, shows the Macedonian
government's continued determination to combat TIP and
prosecute traffickers. Post will press the government to
speed up prosecutions in this most recent TIP case, and to
ensure that any convictions are in fact accompanied by stiff
sentences.
NAVRATIL