Record-Breaking 27-Ton Cannabis Seizure Rocks North Macedonia
A view of downtown Skopje. Roughly 27–28 tons of cannabis were seized at the former OHIS factory in the capital and the country’s southern region of Strumica.
SKOPJE, NM — In what is being described as the largest narcotics operation in the nation’s history, authorities in North Macedonia have seized approximately 27 tons of cannabis. The massive raid, which took place late Thursday, Feb. 5, at the former OHIS industrial complex in Skopje and several locations in the Strumica region, has sent shockwaves through the Balkan medical cannabis sector.
A Growing International Scandal
This record-breaking bust is not an isolated incident. Investigative sources confirm it is inextricably linked to the seizure of five tons of marijuana in the village of Konjuh, near Kruševac, Serbia, just last week. That earlier operation led to the arrest of five individuals, including a local official from Serbia’s ruling party and Ivan Draganić, a co-owner of the Skopje-based medical cannabis firm Alfafarm DOO.
Prosecutors allege that the criminal network utilized the legal infrastructure of the medical cannabis industry to facilitate large-scale international trafficking. Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski addressed the situation on Friday, noting that the Ministry of Interior is uncovering “dozens of tons” of prohibited substances that were allegedly being moved through legal entities.
The Pioneer of the Balkans
The scandal is particularly poignant given North Macedonia’s history as a regional leader in cannabis reform. In 2016, North Macedonia became one of the first countries in the Balkans to legalize medical cannabis, adopting a “Canadian-style” open market model. This move was intended to position the country as a pharmaceutical hub, attracting over 60 licensed producers to the region.
However, this week’s events highlight the growing pains and security challenges of a legal market. Experts suggest that while the 2016 legislation opened doors for innovation and economic growth, it also created a complex regulatory environment that authorities are now struggling to monitor effectively.
What’s Next?
As the investigation expands, the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption is working in “intensive coordination” with Serbian authorities. The outcome of this case will likely prompt a significant review of the licensing and export protocols for the nearly 100 cannabis companies currently operating in the country.
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Stephen Andrews
