RAIDS targeting an alleged criminal gang saw the head of the criminal department of police in Piešťany (Trnava Region) detained as officials pursue an organised crime group they say operated across western and central Slovakia.
The National Criminal Agency’s July 2 raids resulted in 12 people being accused of seven crimes, including founding and supporting an organised criminal group, robbery and insurance fraud, police said on July 4. Nine of the accused were detained during the raid, one remains at large and two are currently imprisoned on separate charges.
The police actions took place simultaneously in Piešťany, Trnava, Hlohovec, Martin, Trenčín and Veľký Krtíš in the early morning hours of July 2. Some 150 police officers took part.
Police claim the criminal group committed violent and economic crimes since at least 2010, making hundreds of thousands of euros in the process, the SITA newswire reported.
The Piešťany police officer among the accused allegedly provided details about investigations into their criminal activities to the other members of the group.
Eight of the men in custody, including the police officer, were held on July 5 after a ruling of the Specialised Criminal Court. The ninth was released.
Both the prosecutor as well as the accused appealed the court decision and it is still to be considered by the Supreme Court.
The prosecutor is seeking tougher jailing conditions on six of the accused.
If convicted, the accused face five to 10 years behind bars.
