The Interior Ministry identified the cocaine dealers arrested yesterday as four men aged 19 to 41, from the village of Aracinovo, and the Cair and Cento areas of Skopje.

They were subject to an investigation lasting three months, the police said, who were determined to deal significant quantities of cocaine across the capital. They even allegedly tried to bribe police officers and gain information into the investigation against them.

Main customers include bar and restaurant managers, lawyers, company managers, bankers and public sector employees. Twelve of them were also arrested. In several instances, it was documented that they used violence against late payers. The proceeds were invested into luxury vehicles, apartments and houses.

According to the Interior Ministry the arrests were initiated when the leader of the group attempted to fly out of the country. The arrests yielded cocaine, but the Ministry did not report the quantity. A smaller amount of money was also seized, as well as one pistol, two rifles, digital scales, three luxury and two other vehicles.