Court Confirms Charges Against Duško Golubović for Smuggling

The High Court in Podgorica has confirmed two indictments against former operative Duško Golubović and Sander Stanaj, the co-owner of the company “Rokšped.” The indictments, issued by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) on November 7, 2022, and December 29, 2022, charge the duo with orchestrating a criminal organization involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, which allegedly cost the state approximately €18.26 million in lost revenue.

The SDT’s investigation has led to charges against a total of 15 individuals, including Golubović and Stanaj, as well as 13 others who are yet to be publicly identified. The SDT details that the accused formed a criminal organization that operated from 2020 to 2021, transporting untaxed cigarettes from the Free Trade Zone of Bar Port into Montenegro while evading customs controls.

The indictment asserts that the group utilized various methods to conceal and distribute these tobacco products across Montenegro, as well as in neighboring countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. By failing to pay customs duties, excise taxes, and other charges on the smuggled cigarettes, the organization allegedly generated illegal profits, inflicting significant financial damage on the Montenegrin government.

In a statement from the SDT, it was emphasized that the financial investigation is underway, focusing on all movable and immovable assets linked to the accused. The aim is to permanently confiscate any property obtained through these criminal activities.

According to the SDT, Golubović and Stanaj are suspected of devising a comprehensive smuggling plan, sourcing tobacco products for the organization, and facilitating their transport across the customs line into Montenegro. Following this, members of the criminal group allegedly picked up the contraband and transported it using trucks to warehouses located in Podgorica and Tuzima.

The confirmation of these charges highlights the ongoing efforts of the Montenegrin authorities to combat organized crime and protect state revenues from illicit activities. The judicial proceedings are expected to draw significant public attention as they unfold, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations and the potential ramifications for those involved.