A criminal underworld of Montenegro

How many Montenegrin organized crime groups exist? What are their dominant activities? How do they function and with whom cooperate? The text reveals answers based on the Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA 2021) that the Government of Montenegro published in April 2022.

Police worldwide seized over 30 tons of cocaine from trafficking activities from 2017 to 2021, where criminals from Montenegro were involved. Many of them began their criminal careers as members of the crew of overseas ships in the 2000s, which later enabled them to build a network for smuggling cocaine. Over time, they specialized in smuggling and affected the creation of different criminal organizations.?

Ten high-risk organized crime groups from Montenegro operate presently, one less than in 2017. Most groups have over 30 members. The dominant illegal activity is cocaine smuggling, but they are active in businesses with heroin, cannabis (also in Spain and Germany), and cigarettes, reveals the Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA 2021) that Montenegrin Government published in April 2021.

Although the public version of the Montenegrin SOCTA 2021 does not contain the names of crime groups, it is possible to identify at least seven based on media discourse analysis. Skaljari Clan, Kavaci Clan, and Berane Group consider to be the strongest and deal with drug trafficking, especially cocaine. Next are Budva Group and Bar Group, which often cooperate and assist leading players. Mojkovac Clan and Grand Clan are active in cigarette smuggling.??

In the cocaine business, the criminal underworld from Montenegro cooperates very well with groups in the Balkans, especially from Serbia. Together, they form a network that has significantly increased cocaine smuggling from Latin America and links with the illegal distributive structures of Western and Central Europe since 2017, primarily due to the reduced role of the Italian mafia 'Ndrangheta in the Colombian criminal market.?

The Balkan criminal network consists of Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina groups. They control all phases of cocaine smuggling – from procurement and loading in South America, transport, unloading, and delivery to European and recently in Adriatic Sea ports, to local distribution in Western Europe.??

Crime groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Croatia function as cells of the criminal underworld of Serbia and Montenegro. Croats are responsible for smuggling in certain phases and finding travel documents. At the same time, Slovenes smuggle cocaine on the land roads, coordinate activities, and facilitate the stay of members from Serbia and Montenegro in Slovenia.

Smuggling heroin is the dominant activity of crime groups from north Montenegro, which have direct contacts with suppliers in Turkey. Groups are composed of Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and Turkey citizens. In all registered cases of smuggling heroin in Montenegro, citizens of Albania were involved. Since 2017, groups from Montenegro that deal with heroin and cocaine smuggling have connected.

In cannabis smuggling, Montenegrin groups primarily connect Albanian groups with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia groups. Unlike a strong alliance of groups that smuggle cocaine and heroin, there is no strict hierarchical structure for cannabis smuggling but the cooperation of individuals with a common goal. The smuggling of synthetic drugs and weapons is primarily individual, not organized.?

Organized crime from Montenegro did not participate in migrant smuggling. Still, individuals from the country help crime groups and networks operating in border areas by providing logistical support. In Montenegro, cigarette smuggling is conducted by crime groups involved in drug trafficking, groups of closely related people, and individuals from the country and the region.?

Organized crime groups from Montenegro operate on strong leadership principles, strict hierarchy, internal discipline, clear division of tasks, and split into cells that work inside and outside the country. This is especially valid for groups dealing with cocaine and heroin. They use corrupt arrangements with individuals from the police and customs to conduct illicit activities.

Now, crime groups constantly strengthen their internal organization by hiring new members and connecting with regional and international crime groups and organizations. New forces are often recruited in prisons by crime groups leaders or high-positioned members who already serve sentences. They provide protection, hire a lawyer, or provide financial assistance.?

Montenegrin criminal groups use violence to monopolize the illegal cocaine market, which has escalated lately. More than 60 serious crimes against life and body (like murders) were committed in Montenegro, the Balkans, and Europe. Criminal groups are becoming more brutal. Family members of opposing groups and law enforcement officers are often targeted and abducted. In addition to guns, they increasingly use bombs in public spaces to eliminate competition.

To protect their activities, crime groups from Montenegro use modern communication technologies, install video surveillance systems at positions in the city center, and use original biometric passports of countries of the Western Balkans obtained by bribery. The money gained from crime is invested in the construction of buildings, the purchase of real estate and tourist complexes, catering and hospitality, organization of games of chance in Montenegro and other countries.