Suspects in 840 kg cocaine smuggling case have detention extended

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The detention of a thirteen-member group responsible for smuggling 840 kilograms of cocaine from South America to the Portuguese port of Porto in September last year has been extended for another month.

The decision was made by the non-trial panel of the High Court in Podgorica.

Nikica Todorović and Damjan Vukašinović, who is on the run, are considered leaders of this criminal group.

Todorović, Ranko Stojović, Milica Buldlić, Jovan Ercegović, Milovan Lolo Laković, and Darko Giljača were arrested on March 11 and subsequently taken to the remand prison in Spuž, while Radoje Radulović, Damjan Vukašinović, Dragan Prostrana, Mario Lazović, and Z. K. are still being sought.

They are charged with the criminal offenses of creating a criminal organization and drug smuggling, CdM reports.

During the arrest of part of this group, the police, under the order of the Special State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica, Budva, Kotor, Bar, Herceg Novi, and Danilovgrad, searched 20 facilities suspected of being used by this criminal organization.

Seven expensive vehicles, 12,500 euros, several expensive "Rolex" watches, a pistol, a package of explosives and ammunition, multiple encrypted phones, cards, and other technical devices were seized.

This operation was carried out as part of the international cooperation of the Police Administration of Montenegro and the Judicial Police of Portugal, the French Customs Administration, and the US DEA. Also, the police of Great Britain, Croatia, Serbia, Austria, and Slovenia participated, all in cooperation with Europol, when on September 1, 2018, a catamaran named "Florida" was intercepted in the Azores, Portugal, where 840 kilograms of cocaine were found.

During the cocaine seizure, four people were arrested, two of whom were women, who were released, while criminal proceedings are underway against the other two individuals before the court for unauthorized production, possession, and distribution of narcotic drugs.

According to media reports, wiretapped conversations revealed the roles of the members of this group, as well as foreign nationals with whom they had "business" communication.

Secret surveillance measures, according to investigators' suspicions, showed that Podgorica resident Milovan Laković was responsible for buying plane tickets and hiding members of this group.

During the wiretapping, investigators also learned that the criminal group often met in Laković's cafe to allegedly receive instructions from Nikica Todorović.

Suspect Bukilić, according to the investigation, was responsible for courier services and the distribution of encrypted phones.

The Special Prosecutor's Office emphasized that Nikica Todorović and Damjan Vukašinovć, who is on the run, are considered leaders of this criminal group. After the arrest of part of this group, they announced that a kilogram of cocaine was bought for a price between 5,000 to 6,000 euros and sold for 30,000 to 40,000 euros.