Montreal, February 19, 2025
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) congratulates the Serbian Anti-Doping Agency (ADAS) for its investigation which led to the dismantling of an organised criminal group and the seizure of 3.000 kg of doping substances worth more than 3 million euros.
This investigation is one of more than 100 investigations opened as part of the AMA European Intelligence and Investigation Capacity and Skills Building Project, which has contributed to the development of these capacities in nearly 50 countries.
After participating in one of the project's training sessions, two ADAS investigators returned to Serbia and immediately established communication with the Serbian Ministry of Interior. During the year, the multi-stakeholder collaboration resulted in the arrest of an organized crime group that was illegally importing and distributing doping substances throughout Serbia.
The project facilitated numerous interactions between WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Department, European law enforcement agencies and European Anti-Doping Organisations (ADOs). As a result, ADAS, the Ministry of Interior, the Criminal Police Directorate and the Organised Crime Service, in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime and the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Serbia, conducted four separate operations that resulted in the arrest of 10 members of the organised crime group.
“WADA congratulates the Serbian Anti-Doping Agency and the Serbian government on the remarkable success of this operation,” said Günter Younger, Director of WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Department. “It has demonstrated what is possible when anti-doping organizations, law enforcement and governments work together proactively. The combination of intelligence and investigative capabilities, strong legal frameworks and a willingness to share information is essential to protect clean sport and public health. WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Department was happy to assist and invites all countries interested in achieving similar results to contact us.”
In addition to the arrests and seized doping substances, authorities also confiscated 100.000 euros in cash, cryptocurrencies worth around 500.000 euros, numerous properties, bank accounts, seven websites used for the online sale of illegal substances, safes and a number of luxury items, such as vehicles and watches.
“The Serbian Anti-Doping Agency and the Serbian government are pleased with the results of this operation,” said the Director of the Serbian Anti-Doping Agency, Prof. Dr. Milica Vukašinović-Vesić. “Our participation in WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Capacity Building initiative has produced immediate results and is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations cooperate in large-scale operations. We intend to use this model to conduct our future investigations and look forward to continuing our collaboration with WADA to protect the public and doping-free sport.”
