This week, Montenegrin authorities have arrested nine high-value targets holding key positions in Western Balkan drug trafficking organisations. In total, 19 individuals were targeted in this action. Four received charges while in prison, and five others are still on the run.
This action is the result of national investigations, cooperation, and information exchange through Europol between the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police, the Montenegrin Special Police Division (Specialno Policijsko Odeljenje), and the United States Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA). The investigation was initiated after law enforcement intercepted 1.8 tonnes of cocaine shipments from Europe to Australia between 2020 and 2021.Â
The targeted individuals were closely linked to various Montenegrin criminal cells active within a larger drug trafficking network spread across the Balkan region and beyond. Some of the suspects allegedly belong to one of the most notorious and violent Montenegrin clans, while others are suspected of leading their own independent criminal groups.
One of the suspects, the leader of this criminal group, is allegedly responsible for multiple murders carried out during gang wars.Â
Law enforcement authorities already knew the nine suspects, as they had appeared in several previous drug trafficking investigations. Investigators have identified that the networks where they played leading roles had developed a large logistics network to facilitate drug trafficking from the EU to Australia. They were able to supply cocaine from source countries and transport it for final distribution in European and Australian end markets.Â
On July 17, 15 locations were searched in Montenegro, nine made arrests, and seizures were made, including documents, 22 firearms and 722 pieces of ammunition, 15 vehicles, two vessels, luxury watches and cash.Â
In recent years, Western Balkan criminal networks have increasingly targeted the Australian drug market, as the illegal proceeds of cocaine trafficking there are significantly higher than European markets. The supply route includes Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, with transhipments from Southern Europe and Africa to Australia. If one kilo of cocaine costs several thousand euros in the source countries, it could reach more than €100,000 on the Australian black market.
Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided continuous analytical support to the investigation. Europol also contributed to the overall case coordination among various agencies in the EU and beyond.
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