More than two tonnes of narcotics seized in police operations was burnt in a factory in the eastern Croatian town of Nasice on Monday, including two tonnes of marijuana and hashish, 28 kilos of amphetamines, 15 kilos of cocaine, and 12 kilos of heroin, with a street value of about €9.5 million.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said that the amount of drugs seized was proof of good cooperation between relevant state authorities. He said that drug abuse was a global problem, especially in Europe which has become the main market for some types of drugs, notably cocaine.

“The fact that this is the second drug incineration this year shows the magnitude of the challenge we are all facing. The illegal market is very large, there are many interests of criminal groups, and our job is to be as efficient as possible,” Bozinovic said.

“The present campaign by criminal groups is the result of the opening of communications that were closed for a while due to the pandemic,” he added.

Bozinovic said that the government’s goal was to increase prevention and “lead as many young people as possible, especially those in their formative years, away from this evil.”

Over the past ten years, Croatia has incinerated over 20 tonnes of seized narcotics. About 500 kilos of cocaine was incinerated in July this year.