Newsletters
Montenegro is addressing the rising threat posed by Turkish criminal groups, which Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Becic has called a serious danger to national security.
Becic discussed the measures taken against the Turkish mafia this year:
We have identified and neutralized several individuals linked to these structures, resulting in their removal from Montenegro. This has led to a significant reduction in their activities.
Authorities prosecuted 13 Turkish nationals for crimes such as human trafficking, forgery and economic offenses.
Among those extradited to Türkiye is Binali Camgoz, whom Becic described as a threat to Montenegro's national security. Authorities have confirmed that five Turkish nationals were arrested on international warrants, with four already sent back to Türkiye.
Montenegro's government has identified Turkish criminal organizations as key players in heroin trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering.
According to SOCTA, the Turkish mafia "established direct contacts with criminal groups in Türkiye, from where heroin is smuggled directly to Podgorica."
Turkish criminal organizations are also involved in money laundering. They use businesses registered in Montenegro as fronts for illegal activities.
Authorities have uncovered schemes where Turkish mafia groups establish businesses in Montenegro to help migrants obtain temporary residency permits. These migrants often use their legal status to apply for EU transit visas.
In some cases, smugglers illegally transport migrants by sea from Montenegro to Italy or Croatia. Fees for these smuggling services range from €2,000 ($2,101.87) to €6,000 per person, according to SOCTA.
Human trafficking cases have also been reported. Turkish nationals, often employed on Montenegrin construction sites, later pay traffickers to reach EU countries.
The SOCTA report emphasizes that these criminal activities damage Montenegro's reputation and align with broader concerns from the European Commission.
Montenegrin authorities are intensifying efforts to disrupt organized criminal activities.
Deputy Prime Minister Becic confirmed that Montenegro will continue identifying and removing foreign criminal elements.
We aim to prevent criminal activities and protect our national interests by denying these individuals the opportunity to operate in Montenegro.
As Montenegro and Türkiye commemorate 145 years of diplomatic relations, cooperation between the two nations is under scrutiny.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Dec. 2. Whether the discussions will address the active presence of the Turkish mafia in Montenegro remains unclear.
Montenegro's involvement in organized crime raises questions about its readiness to align with EU standards. The European Commission has urged Montenegro to harmonize its visa policy with EU regulations.
This includes reinstating visa requirements for Turkish citizens, a step considered essential to curbing illegal migration and related criminal activities.
Authorities remain vigilant as foreign criminal groups, including the Turkish mafia, continue exploiting Montenegro's strategic location to carry out illegal operations.
1 min read
