Three people suspected of human trafficking: Arranged marriage to a minor, then forced her to sell marijuana

In a joint operation by officers from the Ulcinj Security Department and the Podgorica Security Department, GI (48) was arrested, while a criminal complaint was filed against his wife BD (44) on suspicion that they arranged a marriage to the detriment of their minor daughter, aged 15, and then forced her to sell marijuana.

This was announced today by the Police Administration (UP).

They are reportedly charged with the crime of human trafficking.

"On the order of the State Prosecutor, the Podgorica Police Department deprived GI (48) of his liberty, while a criminal complaint was filed against his wife BD (44), on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of human trafficking to the detriment of their minor daughter, 15 years old. Police officers from the Ulcinj Security Department, through criminal investigation and taking measures and actions within their jurisdiction, in coordination with the Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica, determined that GI and BD, both from Podgorica, committed the criminal offense of human trafficking in November 2025, by arranging an illegal marriage between two minors, one of whom is their daughter, and handing over their daughter, 15 years old, to another family from Ulcinj for the amount of 3.000 euros," the UP statement states.

According to them, the minor then went to live with another family in Ulcinj, where she had been since November 2025.

In the continuation of the criminal investigation, the Police Department added, ZK (43) from Berane, residing in Ulcinj, was also arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of human trafficking.

As suspected, an illicit marriage was arranged between her minor son and the aforementioned injured minor, after which the minor moved to live with the ZK family in Ulcinj.

"After she came to live with them, ZK, as is suspected, using force and threats, forced the aforementioned minor to sell the narcotic drug marijuana for her in the territory of Ulcinj. Officers of the Criminal Police Sector of the Ulcinj Security Department detected this form of crime during targeted controls in the Ulcinj area, when the minor victim of human trafficking was found on Mala Plaža selling the narcotic drug - marijuana, which was confiscated from her on that occasion," the statement reads.

The police add that they have set the fight against human trafficking as one of the national priorities, with a special focus on the timely recognition, identification and protection of victims, especially minors, as a particularly vulnerable category, as well as on the detection and prosecution of all forms of their exploitation.

"Human trafficking is one of the most serious crimes that threatens fundamental human rights and freedoms, and especially the human dignity of the victim. The law recognizes various forms of exploitation, including forced labor, slavery-like relationships, criminal activity, sexual exploitation, begging, and illegal marriage, where the exploitation of minors, who require additional protection due to their age and vulnerability, is recognized as a particularly worrying form," the statement said.