CROATIAN CUSTOMS OFFICERS UNCOVER MAJOR COFFEE SMUGGLING RING

ZAGREB, Sept 21 (Hina) - Croatian customs officers from the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka have uncovered and broken up a major smuggling ring from neighbouring Slovenia, customs and police officials told a news conference in Zagreb on Sunday. Customs officers at the Brod-na-Kupi border crossing have seized 2,200 tonnes of green and roasted coffee beans, technical and textile goods and children's toys, whose value is estimated at 16 million kuna (about $2.54 million), Customs Administration Director Josip Knezic and Assistant Interior Minister Zeljko Sacic said. The coffee was intended for consumers in Zagreb and the southern coastal city of Split, and partly for neighbouring Bosnia- Herzegovina. Sacic said that six persons were being investigated, adding that the financial police were closely watching a dozen legal entities in Croatia. Sacic said that the smugglers had been working in collusion with customs officials in Rijeka and that there were indications that some state officials were also involved. Knezic said that the smugglers had threatened a customs officer employed at the Brod-na-Kupi border crossing to keep quiet or else they would kill his children. It was said that Slovenian customs officials would assist in the further inquiry and that the Interpol was also involved in the investigation. (hina) vm 211611 MET sep 97