Banja Luka police in Operation Demidz broke up an organized drug group that had sold drugs around Banja Luka, Laktaši and Odžak for almost two years.[1][2] Police arrested 17 people, and ten of them were handed over to the Banja Luka District Prosecution.[1][2] Police named 36-year-old Slovenian Mladen Samardžija among those brought before the prosecutor.[1] The others taken to the prosecutor were men from Banja Luka, Odžak and Mrkonjić Grad.[1] Investigators described Samardžija and fugitive Predrag Petković as the main suppliers, with Boban Kantar as a key distributor, while the others allegedly acted as dealers and couriers.[1][2] The group allegedly sold drugs from early 2025 until the arrests on 4 November 2026.[1]

Police searched 20 locations and seized almost 13 kg of drugs and about 100,000 convertible marks in cash.[1] The seizure included about 12.5 kg of marijuana, about 500 g of white powder resembling cocaine and a small amount of hashish.[1] Officers also seized a car, digital scales, mobile phones, cocaine-purity tests, two pistols and more than 100,000 marks in cash.[1] Some members allegedly weighed, repackaged and stored kilograms of marijuana and cocaine in rented flats and houses in Trn, Motike and central Banja Luka, while couriers moved cocaine from Sanski Most to Laktaše and Banja Luka.[1] Cocaine allegedly sold for 150 marks up to 7,400 euros, including 400 g sold for 7,400 euros, while cannabis sold for 50, 100 or 200 marks depending on quantity.[1]

The district prosecution said its report also covered further suspects, of whom four were unavailable and four were released to defend themselves from liberty.[1] People identified only by initials from Banja Luka and Laktaši were released, and suspect Predrag Petković remained at large.[1]