CROATIAN POLICE BREAKS RING OF OIL DEALERS TO OCCUPIED AREAS

SISAK, Apr 8 (Hina) - Sisak police has broken a ring of oil smugglers operating in Serb-occupied western Slavonia and Bosnia- Herzegovina, superintendent Vladimir Milankovic told a press conference yesterday. The Zagreb-based company 'GT Invest' is allegedly involved in the smuggling. Shipments were dispatched from two gas stations in Lipovljani, western Slavonia, both rented by GT Invest. Smugglers managed to deliver two fuel shipments of 60,000 litres to Bosnian Serbs but the third delivery was foiled by Croatian police in late February. The chief suspects are a Milorad Mihajlovic from Banja Luka, currently living in Austria, a Ivo Jokic from Donja Zelina (near Zagreb) co-owner and manager of GT Invest, and a Josip Karagic from Novska, supervisor at the Lipovljani gas station. The gang also included a number of smaller fry, such as truck drivers and gas station personnel. Mihajlovic, Jokic and Karagic were charged with smuggling and violating provisions of UNSC Resolution 942 relative to trade sanctions against Serbia. Jokic and Karagic were also charged with assisting the enemy. All the suspects were released on bond, pending trial before the Zagreb military tribunal. But another arrest was made on January 30, when the police intercepted a shipment of 1670 litres of motor oil at the Lipovljani gas station and busted two Bosnian Serbs from Kotor Varos. The pair were allegedly in Jokic's pay. (hina) mm as 081404 MET apr 95