Minister, PM meet with DEA officials

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that Friday's visit of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Michele Leonhart was historic. He stressed that the visit had followed an excellent cooperation. Minister, PM meet with DEA officials “It is the first time that such a high DEA delegation paid a visit to Belgrade, and this is yet another confirmation of the successful cooperation between the Serbian and U.S. institutions in the field of security,” Dacic stated. “The cooperation has resulted in many successful anti-drug operations,” he said after a meeting with Leonhart, which was also attended by DEA Deputy Administrator Thomas Harrigan and DEA Regional Director for Europe and Africa Russell Benson. The Serbian minister pointed out that it had been agreed to maintain the cooperation in several fields, the first of which is operational cooperation at the level of information exchange. “We also agreed to continue with the existing operations, and the Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP) is interested in the training of personnel in the field of forensics and expert testimony,” he noted. Dacic voiced belief that the MUP and the DEA would achieve a long-term goal - opening of the agency's office in Belgrade. On the occasion of their visit to Belgrade, the U.S. officials were given MUP's highest award "Jakov Nenadovic." Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said during his meeting with Leonhart that Serbia and the U.S. had excellent cooperation in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. Cvetkovic informed Leonhart about operations against organized crime and drug-mafia successfully performed by the Serbian intelligence services and security agencies and stressed the importance of cooperation between DEA and the Security Information Agency of Serbia (BIA). “The security system in Serbia has been significantly improved with the beginning of work of the National Security Council, established at the initiative of President Boris Tadic, which is confirmed by a series of successfully carried out operations, particularly in the fight against organized crime,” said the Serbian prime minister. Cvetkovic especially praised the cooperation between BIA and DEA in the operation Balkan Warrior, which led to the seizure of 2.7 tons of cocaine, according to a release from the office of the prime minister. “The government established the Anti-Corruption Agency and passed the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime, thanks to which the authorities have seized assets worth USD 350mn,” the prime minister said, adding that Serbia had become a reliable partner in the global war against drug mafia. Michele Leonhart and Ivica Dacic (Tanjug) Tanjug

Minister, PM meet with DEA officials

“It is the first time that such a high DEA delegation paid a visit to Belgrade, and this is yet another confirmation of the successful cooperation between the Serbian and U.S. institutions in the field of security,” Dačić stated.

“The cooperation has resulted in many successful anti-drug operations,” he said after a meeting with Leonhart, which was also attended by DEA Deputy Administrator Thomas Harrigan and DEA Regional Director for Europe and Africa Russell Benson.

The Serbian minister pointed out that it had been agreed to maintain the cooperation in several fields, the first of which is operational cooperation at the level of information exchange.

“We also agreed to continue with the existing operations, and the Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP) is interested in the training of personnel in the field of forensics and expert testimony,” he noted.

Dačić voiced belief that the MUP and the DEA would achieve a long-term goal - opening of the agency's office in Belgrade.

On the occasion of their visit to Belgrade, the U.S. officials were given MUP's highest award "Jakov Nenadović."

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković said during his meeting with Leonhart that Serbia and the U.S. had excellent cooperation in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.

Cvetković informed Leonhart about operations against organized crime and drug-mafia successfully performed by the Serbian intelligence services and security agencies and stressed the importance of cooperation between DEA and the Security Information Agency of Serbia (BIA).

“The security system in Serbia has been significantly improved with the beginning of work of the National Security Council, established at the initiative of President Boris Tadić, which is confirmed by a series of successfully carried out operations, particularly in the fight against organized crime,” said the Serbian prime minister.

Cvetković especially praised the cooperation between BIA and DEA in the operation Balkan Warrior, which led to the seizure of 2.7 tons of cocaine, according to a release from the office of the prime minister.

“The government established the Anti-Corruption Agency and passed the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime, thanks to which the authorities have seized assets worth USD 350mn,” the prime minister said, adding that Serbia had become a reliable partner in the global war against drug mafia.