North Macedonia police seize over 30 tons of cannabis in largest-ever operation
Authorities reported that the cannabis had been legally cultivated for medical purposes, but evidence strongly suggests it was intended for illegal distribution on the black market, both domestically and abroad.
Investigations have also focused on a Skopje-based cannabis cultivation company with Serbian ownership, which is suspected of being linked to a separate case involving the seizure of five tons of cannabis by Serbian police on January 30, 2026. That operation took place at a small agricultural and commercial facility in a village in central Serbia.
According to Serbian authorities, the cannabis confiscated in Serbia had originated from North Macedonia. In connection with that case, Serbian police have arrested three individuals, including the Serbian national who is a co-owner of the Skopje-based company, while investigations continue to locate two additional suspects.
Commenting on the large-scale police operation, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that the public would be “surprised” by the quantities of cannabis expected to be uncovered.
“I expect the police to locate and seize dozens of tons—not a few, but dozens of tons—of narcotic substances, in this case cannabis, which are currently stored in warehouses across the country and were intended for illegal distribution both on the domestic black market and abroad,” Mickoski said.
North Macedonia legalized the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes in 2017. Since then, licenses have been granted to 61 companies, of which 43 remain active today. However, local media report that incidents involving the disappearance of legally produced medical cannabis and its subsequent diversion to the illegal market are not uncommon.
Authorities in both North Macedonia and Serbia say cross-border cooperation is ongoing as investigations continue into what appears to be a major regional trafficking network operating under the cover of legal medical cannabis production.
