During the operation codenamed Vivaldi, the police seized a record amount of meth in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which, according to them, could be traded for 100 million crowns (almost four million euros). The details of the case were presented at a joint press conference on Wednesday by NPC Director Jakub Frydrych and Director of the Slovak National Anti-Drug Unit of the Presidium of the Police Milan Jonis, reports TASR in Prague.
“Together, it was 100 kilograms of meth and 32 kilograms of medicine used for the production of this drug. “Furthermore, five kilograms of cocaine, 25 kilograms of hashish, five bottles of iodine, a device for growing cannabis and a hydraulic press used for processing drugs before sale, funds with a total value of almost seven million crowns, two vehicles and two firearms,” the police from NPCs.
For millions of euros
At a street price of 1,000 crowns (40 euros) per gram, the amount of meth found could be sold for almost four million euros, according to crime experts. Police are still investigating the origin of the methamphetamine. One of the hypotheses, according to Frydrych, is that it was produced in Slovakia or was imported there from a third country.
“This is a relatively unique amount that has not been seized in the Czech Republic in connection with the cases we are investigating in modern history,” noted Frydrych and praised the cooperation with Slovak colleagues.
According to criminologists, the main person of the organized group was a Slovak who imported prohibited substances from Slovakia to the Czech Republic, especially methamphetamine. One of the accused Czechs ordered drugs from him and determined what would happen next with them. The Slovak imported drugs into the Czech Republic twice a month in the amount of several kilograms.
During a house search of another accused, the police found an indoor farm equipped with modern technologies, and seized 100 plants there.
Record capture
In Slovakia, the event took place in the Bratislava region. Detectives found 90 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine and 25 kilograms of hashish during house searches. Further, for example, electronic readers, hydraulic press or 17,200 euros.
“From a historical point of view, it was also a record seizure of drugs on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Although in the past we have had cases in which we may have seized a larger quantity, especially the Ponton action, where 1.5 tons of methamphetamine were seized, it should be noted that this seized quantity was not intended for the domestic market or the market in the Central European area. that’s why we also consider this case to be extremely historic,” emphasized Jonis.
He added that the owners of the properties where the drugs were found had nothing to do with the activity. Jonis did not want to answer the question of whether they were white horses because of the ongoing investigation.
According to the police, the four accused are in custody and face 10 to 18 years in prison. One of the accused has died and one is at large under investigation. If found guilty, he faces two to ten years behind bars.
