GENEVA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Swiss police said Tuesday that more than 50 people had been arrested and large quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana seized following a joint police operation involving Switzerland, Austria and Serbia.
Police confiscated more than 10 kg of heroin, as well as a small quantity of cocaine, and in excess of 140 kg of marijuana, the St. Gallen Cantonal Police force said in a statement.
"Ongoing investigations along with those by Serbian and Austrian authorities have led to further seizures and arrests," said the St. Gallen police statement.
In Switzerland, 35 people were arrested.
The international police cooperation began in 2015 when the St. Gallen police provided information on two Serbian dealers were arrested at Rorschach, St. Gallen in northeastern Switzerland.
During those arrests, the police uncovered heroin, cash, and drug-related materials.
A subsequent investigation found that the two men were part of an international drug ring, originating mainly from the Serbian city of Nis.
At the time, the combined police forces worked together to dismantle the drug ring and had arrested a total of 54 people, including the head of the gang and those responsible for logistics, the heads of smaller cells and drugs mules.
In Switzerland, 30 of the people arrested in 2015 have been tried and deported after completing their sentences. The head of the ring and his four closest collaborators are still in custody, said the St. Gallen police.
