11 criminal groups registered, significant presence of those from Turkey, Georgia, Russia...

In Montenegro, 11 high-risk organized criminal groups (OKG) have been registered, the largest number of which has over 30 members.

In relation to the previously prepared basic version of the document Assessment of the threat of serious and organized crime - SOCTA 2021, in the meantime two new OKGs were identified, while one OKG was determined to be no longer active.

The dominant criminal activity of high-risk OCGs from Montenegro is cocaine smuggling at the international level, while these structures still maintain the trend of association with criminal groups from other countries of the Western Balkans.

This is written in the latest report Assessment of the threat of serious and organized crime in Montenegro SOCTA 2024 published by the Government.

"One of the key segments in the activity of high-risk criminal groups is still the application of the most severe forms of violence, manifested through the reckless elimination of opponents in criminal activities, all with the aim of not only taking over a monopoly position, but also with the aim of revenge and total revanchism and the complete elimination of members of opposing criminal groups. group. The thesis that high-risk criminal groups use corruption as a method of work was confirmed through their infiltration and the creation of collaborative positions in law enforcement bodies and intelligence-security sector bodies, which were transformed over time, so that some law enforcement officers became members or leaders of certain segments of activity within high-risk criminal groups.The security risk of the activities of high-risk OKGs is further complicated by ineffective court proceedings, which results in a significant number of members being at large, who are accused of organizing and directly committing serious crimes against life and limb. The above-mentioned situation primarily enables the consolidation of the activities of high-risk OCGs and the re-establishment of their cohesion, and at the same time increases the degree of security risk, considering that the above-mentioned persons may be the target of opposing criminal structures," it is stated.

It is also emphasized that in the last period of time, a significant presence of foreign criminal groups in the territory of Montenegro and their connection with high-ranking OKG from Montenegro was registered.

"Which is particularly characteristic of the OKG from Turkey, Georgia, Russia and other Eastern European countries. The aforementioned situation will significantly contribute to the mutual spread of influence and infiltration into other criminal markets," the document says.

It is also stated that the smuggling and distribution of narcotics is still the primary activity of OKG.

"In transcontinental activities, the significant participation of criminal structures from Montenegro is still evident, accompanied by a high degree of adaptability to the needs of the market through the use of new methods and adaptation to changes in legislation and technical and technological achievements. Montenegro has retained the role of a transit country for the smuggling of all types of narcotics, which is realized both from Montenegro and from the region, primarily from Albania. Montenegro continues to have a significant role in smuggling and distribution of narcotics on the European market involves involvement in all stages of smuggling - procurement, organization of transport, which is mainly carried out by sea to ports in Europe, where reception and organization of further distribution are carried out, with the use of cargo motor vehicles or with specially modified cavities (seats, foot pads, spare wheel, etc.). During 2022 and 2023, seizures of narcotics in the territory of Montenegro were registered in a greater number of cases at official border crossings, while a smaller number of seizures related to the green and blue borders".

It also says that heroin smuggling is not a dominant criminal activity when it comes to the OKG from Montenegro.

"During the reporting period, this criminal activity was also characteristic of organized crime groups that gravitate to the north of Montenegro, especially due to the proximity to the part of the Balkan route that passes through Kosovo and Albania. In the last period of time, more active participation and involvement in the relevant activities was also registered by criminal groups from the central part of Montenegro, primarily criminal groups from Podgorica, who have established direct contacts with criminal groups in Turkey, from where heroin is smuggled directly to Podgorica. It is also registered that criminal groups from Tuzi cooperate with Albanian criminal groups in smuggling marijuana. and excise goods, also active in heroin smuggling," the SOCTA document says.

It is also stated that it has been registered that Albanian criminal groups often smuggle heroin through the territory of Montenegro without the participation of Montenegrin citizens.

"Criminal groups originating from Montenegro that operate in the countries of the European Union are still active in the distribution of heroin through local dealer networks, and the participation of individuals, Montenegrin citizens in the local distribution of heroin in the countries of the European Union has also been registered, which is confirmed by data indicating increasing number of Montenegrin citizens deprived of their freedom. OKG and criminal groups from Montenegro are still largely dependent on associates in Turkey, primarily due to the ethnic composition of the groups which significantly influenced the establishment of stronger cooperation with smuggling groups from Turkey of the territory of Montenegro remained unchanged. Heroin is smuggled by land, usually through official border crossings, in quantities of 15 to 20 kg, using buses, passenger and cargo vehicles, hidden in specially made bunkers which deal with import/export and transport of various types of goods".

The document also says that part of the heroin remains in Montenegro for the needs of the domestic market and that criminal groups from Rožaj have retained the position of main heroin suppliers for criminal groups from Beran, Nikšić, Podgorica and Bar that carry out local distribution.

"Criminal groups from the northern part of Montenegro, which specialized in heroin smuggling and had collaborative networks in the countries of Western Europe (Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.), during the reporting period established cooperation with the more important Montenegrin OKG, which deal with smuggling and distribution of cocaine, and it is registered that they have become part of criminal networks through which cocaine and marijuana are smuggled and distributed. Montenegrin diaspora in Germany, France, Denmark and other European countries are used by Montenegrin criminal groups in these countries and its further sale and distribution. When it comes to the seizure of heroin, an increase was registered in 2022 compared to 2021, while a decrease was registered in 2023. The prices of heroin, regardless whether it is heroin that is intended for further smuggling or local distribution, the rest are approximately the same. ranging from 15 to 20 euros per gram, excluding the summer tourist season when there is a small price increase, due to higher demand".

Weapons smuggling

The document also states that although Montenegro is not dominantly recognized in the region as a territory - the source of weapons intended for smuggling, activities aimed at the illegal trade in firearms must be treated with special attention, especially due to the transnational activity of the OKG.

"Despite the fact that in the previous period a significant amount of firearms in illegal possession was seized, in Montenegro, as well as in other countries of the Western Balkans, there are still significant amounts of firearms, relatively easily accessible to members of high-risk organized crime groups. Considering the geographical position of Montenegro , its transit role in the implementation of firearms smuggling activities from neighboring countries to Western European countries was retained..."

It also says that members of criminal groups and persons of operational interest can still acquire firearms without significant obstacles.

"Individual cases of conversion of gas (starter) pistols, which are available for free sale, are still being registered, and which, after modification, acquire the property of firearms and as such can be used to commit criminal acts. Analysis of available data on modified (converted) firearms, the occurrence of which is expressed in the European Union states, indicates a declining trend in the use of this type of firearm in Montenegro. and due to the fact that there have been no registered cases of modified firearms being used to commit serious crimes."

The document also states that as part of the campaign "Respect life, return weapons" in the previous period, citizens voluntarily returned 2.871 pieces of different types of firearms, 1.437 parts of firearms, 515 mine explosive devices, more than 60.000 pieces of ammunition of different calibers, while during the reporting period, 937 weapons, 379 firearms, 157 mines and explosives and more than 25 pieces of ammunition were voluntarily returned.

Illegal migration and human trafficking

Montenegro has retained the status of a transit country, which it had in the previous period as well, with a growing trend of illegal migration and people smuggling activities.

"There are no registered organized criminal groups engaged in human smuggling in Montenegro, but this activity is carried out by local smuggling groups and individuals who operate on the borders with neighboring countries and who provide logistics to international smuggling networks in migrant operations. Smuggling groups engaged in smuggling activities generally number from five to 15 members, with clearly defined roles and pre-determined tasks...".

It is also stated that Montenegro is characterized by a continuous increase in the number of migrants transiting through the territory of our country, so in the reporting period there was an increase in the number of migrants, smuggling activities and the number of persons participating in the implementation of this criminal activity....

When it comes to human trafficking, the document states that in the previous period it was represented through various forms of labor and sexual exploitation, but to a lesser extent through the exploitation of persons, mainly the RAE population for the purpose of begging.

"It is characteristic of Montenegro that the occurrence of prostitution is particularly pronounced during the tourist season in the area of ​​the Montenegrin coast, where eased conditions for the entry and stay of foreign citizens due to the tourist season are used as a convenience. However, the increase in the number of foreign citizens staying on the territory of our during the entire calendar year, this phenomenon is not only seasonal in Montenegro. Smaller groups of persons without a clear hierarchy or firm organization have been detected, who are engaged in catering establishments or hotels, where they participate in contracting and providing sexual services, and are often connected to the local distribution of narcotics".

It also says that a significant increase in the number of persons providing sexual services was detected in the territory of Ukraine after the influx of a large number of Ukrainian citizens to the territory of Montenegro, caused by the war events in Ukraine.

"The national structure of persons who provide sexual services, apart from Ukrainian citizens, also includes citizens of South American countries and citizens of the former Yugoslav states (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo). Sexual services are provided by adults, there are no registered cases The price of providing sexual services ranges from 100 to 250 euros. yachts, where the clientele of higher paying power resides and represents a suitable ground for elite prostitution".

Smuggling of excise goods - tobacco and tobacco products

The document states that the problem of cigarette smuggling is also expressed in Montenegro.

It says that the Port of Durrës in Albania is the entry point for cigarettes delivered by ships from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China and the like. After that, one branch of the smuggling routes goes through Montenegro, the so-called transit of cigarettes to "third countries" (Serbia, Kosovo, etc.), while a part of those cigarettes remains illegally in the territory of Montenegro.

"One of the registered methods of operation also includes the mode in which cigarettes are intended for destruction 'alienated' with the aim of further sale on the illegal market in Montenegro and further smuggling to the countries of the region. This method of cigarette smuggling was made possible by the easy infiltration of members of criminal structures into the ranks of the security sector, the legal regulations that define the functioning of the Bar Port Free Zone, as well as the financial power possessed by OKGs that operate in cigarette smuggling activities.Corruption with a special focus on high-level corruption. confirmed that corruption is closely related to organized crime. Corruption is deeply rooted in many countries inside and outside...".

The SOCTA document also states that citizens of Eastern European countries and Turkey, who reside in the territory of Montenegro, are linked to the implementation of money laundering activities through interconnected legal entities registered on the territory of Montenegro in whose ownership and management structures they participate, and which mainly operate in the fields of consulting, financial business and tax management, construction and real estate trade and motor vehicle trade.

Terrorism and religious extremism

The document also states that activities of several Salafist groups have been registered in Montenegro, which are characterized by different levels of radicalization, with clearly visible foreign influence and their focus on attempts to spread radical ideology.

"The region of the Western Balkans increasingly serves to provide logistics to radical and extremist movements, and to a much lesser extent it is registered as an area with a risk of attack. Radicalization in the Western Balkans is most often manifested through various forms of non-advanced religious movements (the most common is Salafism) , which are inhomogeneous, both in terms of the direction of action and in the ultimate goals, while extreme right-wing and left-wing movements and individuals are present to a lesser extent foreign armed formations, but also as an area suitable for the spread of various types of radical and extremist ideologies. Several Salafist groups, characterized by different levels of radicalization, with clearly visible foreign influence and their focus on attempts to spread radical ideology, are active in Montenegro.