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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) congratulates the Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia (ADAS) for an investigation that successfully dismantled an organized criminal group and seized 3,000kg of doping substances worth more than EUR 3 million.
The investigation was one of more than 100 initiated as a direct result of WADA’s European Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) Project, which developed I&I capability and capacity in nearly 50 countries.
Following their participation in one of the project’s training sessions, two ADAS investigators returned to Serbia and immediately established communication with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia. Over the course of the year, the multi-party collaboration homed in on an organized criminal group illegally importing and distributing doping substances throughout Serbia.
The project facilitated widespread interactions between WADA I&I, European law enforcement agencies and European Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs). Consequently, ADAS, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Criminal Police Directorate, and the Service for Combating Organized Crime, in cooperation with the Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Serbia, carried out four separate operations that led to the arrest of 10 members of the organized criminal group.
WADA Director, I&I, Günter Younger, said: “WADA applauds the Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia and the Serbian government for the remarkable success of this operation. It has proven what is possible when Anti-Doping Organizations, law enforcement and governments proactively work together. The combination of I&I capacity, strong legal frameworks and a willingness to share information is key to the protection of clean sport and public health. WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations department was happy to assist and welcomes all countries who wish to achieve similar results to connect with us.”
Along with the arrests and doping substances seized, authorities also confiscated EUR 100,000 in cash, cryptocurrency worth approximately EUR 500,000, numerous properties, bank accounts, seven websites used for online sales of illegal substances, safes and a number of luxury items, such as vehicles and watches.
Director of the Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Milica Vukašinović-Vesić, said: “The Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia and the Serbian government are pleased by the results of this operation. Our participation in WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Capability and Capacity Building initiative has produced immediate results. It is a testament to what can be accomplished when organizations cooperate on major operations. We intend on using this blueprint for success in future investigations and look forward to continued collaboration with WADA to protect the public and clean sport.”
About WADA’s I&I Capability and Capacity Building Project
In June 2022, WADA was awarded a grant by the European Commission, to increase anti-doping I&I capability and capacity in Europe, reduce the prevalence of doping in sport and maximize the health benefits for European youth practicing clean sport.
The I&I Capability and Capacity Building project involved around 48 countries, 51 anti-doping organizations and 48 law enforcement agencies in Europe. See summary of project’s success here.
In 2025, WADA will carry out I&I capability and capacity building workshops in the Asia and Oceania regions as part of the I&I department’s Global Intelligence and Investigations Network.
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