An international operation coordinated by INTERPOL, involved 17 countries across Europe and Central Asia, resulted in the seizure of a total of 2,823 small arms and light weapons, nearly 400 hand grenades and explosive devices, and over 40,000 rounds of ammunition.
Bosnia and Herzegovina actively participated in both the preparatory and operational phases of the international operation Trigger X—coordinated by INTERPOL between 22 June and 5 July, 2026—which aimed to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms across Europe and Central Asia.
The operation was conducted across 17 countries, and its results highlight the ongoing threat posed by the illicit firearms trade, including weapons originating from areas of past and current armed conflicts. Operational activities led to the seizure of 2,823 small arms and light weapons, nearly 400 hand grenades and explosive devices, and more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition.
Competent authorities in the participating countries reported 152 arrests linked to the illicit possession of and trafficking in firearms, as well as other criminal offenses, including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and robbery. During the operation, 15 individuals subject to INTERPOL notices were also located, including five wanted under Red Notices.
In May 2026, the INTERPOL General Secretariat, in cooperation with NCB INTERPOL Sarajevo - the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized an international preparatory operational meeting in Sarajevo as part of Operation Trigger X; the meeting was attended by more than 40 representatives from participating countries.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, with support from the EU-funded iARMS V project and in cooperation with the I-FORCE and EU4FAST projects.
This meeting was one of the key preparatory activities for the successful execution of the operation, aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms, facilitating the exchange of operational information, and enhancing coordination among the competent authorities of the participating countries.
In June 2026, with the support of the EUPA4BiH project, the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH organized a national preparatory meeting attended by representatives of all competent police agencies and institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina. On that occasion, the national operational plan was presented, and specific activities and operational priorities within Bosnia and Herzegovina were defined.
Fifteen law enforcement agencies participated in the operational phase of the action in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina coordinated activities at the state level, as well as cooperation with the Central Headquarters of the operation, established at the headquarters of INTERPOL in Lyon, in which Bosnia and Herzegovina also had its representative.
During a two-week operational action, competent police authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina deployed dozens of police officers and inspected hundreds of vehicles and thousands of individuals.
As a result of the activities carried out, the following items were seized across Bosnia and Herzegovina:
• 17 firearms;
• 1,763 rounds of ammunition;
• 18 hand grenades;
• 54 explosive devices;
• 52 other weapons.
A total of 12 individuals were arrested in connection with the illicit possession of and trafficking in weapons, as well as other criminal offenses.
The results achieved confirm the importance of coordinated action by police agencies, the exchange of operational information, and international police cooperation in detecting and combating the illicit trafficking of firearms, as well as in preventing their further entry into the illegal market.
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Ukraine participated in Operation Trigger X.
EMPACT Firearms, Europol, Frontex, SELEC, HSI, and the ATF also collaborated in the realization of the operation.
The Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to contribute to enhancing international operational police cooperation, coordinating the activities of competent police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and exchanging information with international partners, with the aim of more effectively combating all forms of cross-border crime.