Novo mesto chief inspector France Božičnik estimates the street value of the drugs to be more than 1 million euros. The smuggler, who is now in custody, faces a 5 to 15 year prison sentence.

Since 2001, police have seized a total of 900 kilograms of drugs, including 460 kilograms of heroin, at the Obrežje border crossing.

Obrežje border crossing sees increase in traffic
Every year, approximately 10.5 million people and 4.5 million vehicles enter Slovenia through Obrežje, which lies on the so-called Balkan trafficking route. According to Obrežje deputy police commander Boris Kostevc, the number of people entering the country through Obrežje has been steadily increasing. In the first six months of 2016, more than 6 million people have crossed into Slovenia through Obrežje.

Obrežje police officers recover around 450 fake passports and 30 to 40 stolen vehicles per year. They also carry out approximately 10 drug busts and gun seizures every year.

In the area served by the Novo mesto police administration, police have so far this year caught 250 people attempting to enter Slovenia illegally by hiding in vehicles. Each year, around 1400 foreigners are refused entry into Slovenia at the Obrežje border crossing.

According to Kostevc, those trying to evade border controls are mostly Afghan, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi nationals. In October, a huge percentage of those trying to evade border controls were Kosovo nationals.

G.C.; translated by D.V.