The Drešaj brothers' clan, in addition to other criminal activities, has been active in loan sharking for years, according to "Vijesti" sources from the security sector, explaining who in Tuzi is involved in this legally punishable "business".
Operational data also shows who is doing this on their behalf even now, since the brothers Viktor i Leon Drešaj came under attack by the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT), in Operation "General".
Viktor Dresaj was arrested in July 2024 on suspicion of being part of a multi-member criminal organization that smuggled more than 2,5 tons of cocaine from South America to Europe and Australia. His brother has been on the run since then.
"Since Viktor Drešaj has been in pre-trial detention and his brother Leon Drešaj has been on the run, loan sharking activities have been intensively carried out by associates of this organized criminal group, among whom stands out Lj. Dušević from Tuzi. Collaborator of the Drešaj brothers, E. Bećović, recently had a physical confrontation with a person of security interest N. Zaimović, who is engaged in usury. They clashed over a usury debt to Zaimović... In addition to them, in the area of Tuzi and Podgorica, according to operational data, an organized criminal group is also engaged in usury Christian Bikaj, and his associates B., M. and M. Vojvodic", the same sources say.
The security sector registers that persons of security interest are also involved in loan sharking in Tuzi. J. Kajošaj, M. Đurašević, F. Nikolic, D. Tuzovic, brothers N. i A. Popara.
More than two-thirds of respondents in a large anonymous survey say they have experienced threats, violence or serious coercion due to debts to loan sharks. Death threats, endangerment of children, physical violence and complete breakdown of families are recurring patterns, while institutional reactions are almost completely absent, most often due to victims' fear of reporting the loan sharks.
According to the "Vijesti" questionnaire, in which 733 respondents participated until last night, the vast majority had direct or indirect experience with loan sharking, and at least 509 people suffered threats, intimidation or violence from loan sharks, and 224 responded that they had not suffered threats.
The others explained what kind of threats they received and how - the most common forms were personal and telephone threats, as well as threats to the family.
88 of them experienced physical violence, in 56 cases their property was damaged, and 268 of them, in addition to in-person threats, also constantly or occasionally received threats over the phone...
The answers, as well as conversations with those the journalist spoke to, who for whatever reason had experience with loan sharks, show that loan sharks use threats as the primary collection mechanism for those who are even a day late with their "payment".
They state that debtors are constantly called, texted, followed, or come to their homes or businesses, all with the aim of exhausting them and causing them to lose their sense of security.
Their testimonies show that it was a matter of everyday psychological terror and that the threats were not abstract, but direct threats of death, threats to family members, psychological harassment, blackmail by confiscating property, threats of mutilation, but also that a combination of threats and physical violence occurred.
"I will slaughter you"
"I don't think they're allowed to report it. I was once present when he told my son, 'I'll slaughter you,'" replied one mother, explaining why loan sharks go unreported.
Several testimonies mention constant harassment, interceptions on the street, sending "people" to warn debtors...
And while some of the responses precisely state that they received threats every day, others that they were "threats based on fear in the bones," one of the respondents said that it was impossible to even describe:
"What can be described here, fear, threats, horrible threats to the body and to the family..."
That some went a step further is shown by the response of a respondent whose close person had a problem with loan sharks, and who was threatened with organ sales.
"He ruined everything from his lucrative job, including his family and friends, and had to flee the country. He recently returned to his family, hiding so that the 'gentleman' in question wouldn't meet him, who sends messages through an intermediary that he will sell his organs when he catches him..."
Particularly disturbing is the data on threats against family members, reported by 154 respondents. According to the statements, the threats were often directed at children, spouses, parents or siblings.
The "Vijesti" questionnaire shows that despite the terror, more than 81 percent of respondents did not report loan sharks due to fear, distrust in institutions, or, as they state, the police's connections with loan sharks.
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One of the respondents explained why he did not go to the police:
"Because of threats to break my sister's legs, kill my dogs, attack my father, etc. He's done this to other people before..."
That they don't just intercept debtors is shown by the response of a respondent who wrote that a person close to him borrowed money at interest.
"The usurer mentally abused me even though much, much more was returned than was taken. The usurer once intercepted me, because that person close to me was hiding from him, then I told him that I had not taken anything from him..."
In one case, loan sharks pressured the debtor's children to repay the money, convincing them that the money was taken for them.
"Money was given without collateral, so when problems arose and it could no longer be returned, threats began, etc.... Demanding collateral, calling children to tell them about their parents' debt, demanding that the children repay, they also said that the money was taken specifically for the children, etc.," explained one of the interviewees.
Mentioning the name of the Budva moneylender D. Ćuzović, who was mentioned by several respondents, and who, according to operational data from the security sector, has been engaged in this illegal business for years, the interlocutors describe in detail the threats to debtors and their families.
"He threatens to kill me, follows my mother, etc.", wrote one of the respondents.
Another states: "Now he owes him another million, he's destroying his entire family..."
"They took millions from him with interest, they threatened him with death. Him and his family," is another response referring to the same person.
Several survey participants stated that fear for their family was the reason they continued to pay their debts, or did not report the case to the police.
“They beat him twice”
88 respondents reported being subjected to physical violence due to debt. Responses included beatings, breaking legs, and serious physical injuries.
"They beat him twice," one response reads.
This respondent explained that loan sharks beat his father, who had been in debt for years due to gambling. The beatings came after they sold their property.
"My father had been in debt for years and we sold all of my grandfather's properties. He gambled and borrowed from loan sharks. They would come to our house and try to take our house for a debt of 10 euros. They beat him twice," he explains...
"Broken leg", "beating", "attacked", are just some of the allegations.
One of the interlocutors explains that the debtor fled from the loan shark to Republika Srpska, but not for long.
"They found him - broken leg."
In addition, 56 respondents reported property damage, while 89 stated that their collateral was seized. The responses mentioned broken furniture, vehicles, houses, apartments and shops being seized.
Speaking about a friend who died young, a Nikšić resident wrote that loan sharks had previously "torn off his ears."
"They cut off his ears in Nikšić, my friend. Unfortunately, he died young of a heart attack, and that was all caused by usury," he claims.
And while most cited beatings as a means of forced collection, some of the responses were that "it was enough that the loan shark knew where he lived," but also that sex was demanded instead of interest...
Despite the seriousness of the threats, only 48 respondents indicated that they reported the case to the police, while 592 did not.
Their fear of reporting, as the answers show, comes not only from loan sharks, but also from the belief that the state will not, or is not allowed to, protect them, which is why most remain silent before institutions about debts that are collected through fear, beatings, and death.
Survey evidence indicates that loan sharking in Montenegro functions as a system of violence and control, in which threats are the primary mechanism for collection, and physical violence, destruction of property, and family mistreatment are means of maintaining fear.
Data shows that the price of this system is not only paid by debtors, but also by their families, often through permanent loss of security, property, and even life.
The Police Directorate officially told "Vijesti" that loan sharking is difficult to prove, because victims do not report it or withdraw after they do.
This is also shown by the data that, even when the trial comes, victims most often change their minds and change their statements under pressure, explaining that the loan shark only helped them at one point...
In the last five years, a total of 39 proceedings have been conducted before all Montenegrin courts for the criminal offense of usury...
Research by "Vijesti" shows that debt bondage does not only happen to the "irresponsible". Anyone can fall into it - both the calm and the hardworking, both the hardworking and the responsible, both the strong and the weak. The loan sharks are just waiting for a moment of weakness.
This is confirmed by the survey results - some citizens took on debt out of necessity, when institutional assistance was unavailable or too slow, while a significant number went into debt to maintain a lifestyle beyond their realistic means or to cover gambling losses, decisions that today, in a conversation with a journalist, they recognize as serious personal mistakes.
Whoever lends money or other consumable items and thereby contracts a disproportionate material benefit shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years and a fine, reads the description of the criminal offense of "usury" in the Criminal Code (CC) of Montenegro.
If the usurer "takes advantage of the poor financial situation, difficult circumstances, necessity, frivolity or insufficient ability to reason of the injured party", he will be punished with imprisonment from three months to three years and a fine.
The Criminal Code stipulates that a loan shark can be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and a fine if serious consequences have occurred for the injured party or the perpetrator has obtained material gain in an amount exceeding three thousand euros.
Strahinja Raonic: I am a respectable citizen
Strahinja Raonić reacted to a part of the text "Here's a million, put it into circulation", published in yesterday's "Vijesti", which states that in recent years the circle of people involved in these activities has expanded, so that the brothers V. and F. Jovović, and their associates, including S. Raonić, are mentioned as more intensively present in the operational records.
"Regarding the inaccurate and unverified information that has appeared in the public, and which relates to my personality, I hereby wish to clearly and responsibly deny all allegations that damage my reputation and honor. I consider it unacceptable that, based on such circumstances, a false image is created about me and that my name is linked to actions with which I have nothing to do. I am a respected citizen of Montenegro and I perform an honorable and responsible job as a firefighter, serving my community professionally and honestly. I have never participated in any illegal actions in my life, therefore there is no justification for tarnishing my image and the image of my family. Such allegations do not only affect me, but also directly affect my family, friends and close people, creating unnecessary pressure and inconvenience for them. I consider labeling without evidence to be a serious violation of my personal and professional integrity. I expect the media and the public to act responsibly, to verify information before publishing and to respect the basic principles of truth and professional ethics," the response signed by Strahinja reads. Raonic.
In tomorrow's "News", read how many people in Montenegro are involved in usury, according to estimates by the competent authorities, and how two banks are responding to accusations by one of the victims that they disclosed his account details to usurers.
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