US Sanctions Bosnian Officials and Narcotics Trafficker

BOSNIAN OFFICIALS AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER SANCTIONED BY US TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Washington D.C. - A Move Against Corruption and Narcotics Trafficking

In a significant move aimed at undermining corruption and narcotics trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated three individuals under Executive Orders 14033 and 14059.

Designations Target Notorious Figures

The designations target:

Osman Mehmedagic, a Director General for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Intelligence Security Agency, accused of misusing state resources to benefit the Party of Democratic Action.
Dragan Stankovic, a former Acting Director and Director of the Republika Srpska Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs, accused of undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Edin Gacanin, a notorious narcotics trafficker.

Mehmedagic Accused of Corruption

OFAC designated Mehmedagic under Executive Order 14033 for his alleged role in corruption related to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agency claims that he used state-owned telecommunications company BH Telecom to collect cellular activity on politicians not affiliated with the Party of Democratic Action, a move aimed at undermining their influence.

Stankovic Accused of Undermining Dayton Peace Agreement

The U.S. Treasury Department accused Stankovic of being responsible for or complicit in an act that has obstructed or threatened the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The agreement established Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state with two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.

Gacanin Accused of Narcotics Trafficking

Edin Gacanin, a native of Sarajevo, was designated under Executive Order 14059 for his alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking. The U.S. Treasury Department claims that he is the leader of the Tito and Dino Cartel, which includes family members and associates from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sanctions Implications

As a result of the designations:

All property and interests in property of the sanctioned individuals are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the designated individuals unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC.

The sanctions aim to undermine corruption and narcotics trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also highlighting the United States’ commitment to supporting democratic governance and stability in the Western Balkans.