Officer Carlos' dogged determination helps to seize heroin worth 6 million zlotys

Spokesperson for the Police Central Investigation Bureau Iwona Jurkiewicz said on Thursday that the operation has been initiated by Wrocław police. They managed to determine that drugs were smuggled into Polish territory from Western Europe, with Poland being not only a country of destination, but also of transit. According to the investigators, the illegal substances meant to end up elsewhere too, including Scandinavia. The investigation into the case has been launched by a Wrocław branch of the National Public Prosecutor's Office.

"The group was first hit in February 2021 when the police seized nearly 150 kilos of hashish worth 8 million zlotys and detained two suspects. Next hit came in April. This time, officers from the Police Central Investigations Bureau, assisted by officers from Lower Silesian and Lubusz branches of the National Revenue Administration, seized 27 kilos of heroin worth over 6 million zlotys," Jurkiewicz said.

"A dog officer was used in the operation, labrador named Carlos, which detected packages containing drugs hidden in pallets destined for Poland. They were found in the truck cabin, drawer and upper bed," National Revenue Administration spokesperson Anita Wielanek said. "The narcotics were being smuggled in trucks owned by two transport companies," she added.

The prosecutor investigating the case has charged eight people with being involved in an organised criminal group. Additionally, one of them has been charged with leading the group.

"These people are suspected of smuggling large amounts of narcotics, including hashish and heroin, as well as of their distribution and sale. Such offences carry up to 15 years in prison," the National Public Prosecutor's Office informed. Seven suspects have been remanded in custody. The prosecutors did not rule out further arrests in relation to the case.