Montenegro-led operation targets Balkan Cartel cell with Europol support

On 15 April 2026, Europol supported law enforcement authorities in Montenegro in conducting a large-scale operation targeting a significant cell of the Balkan Cartel.

Europol also supported law enforcement authorities in Germany regarding the investigation targeting potential contact persons. This action day resulted in the arrest of twelve suspects (four in Germany), including a High Value Target (HVT) apprehended in Montenegro, CE Report informs via the Europol's official website.

The investigation, which was also supported by authorities in Austria and Spain, focused on a criminal network involved in large-scale international drug (cocaine and cannabis) trafficking.

The suspects, residing in Montenegro and Germany, are believed to have played various roles within the criminal organisation, from financiers to coordinators and logisticians.

Significant cocaine and cannabis seizures

Judicial authorities in Montenegro filed charges against a number of suspects for their involvement in the trafficking of 2.7 tonnes of cocaine and 1.5 tonnes of cannabis between October 2024 and April 2026. The drugs were seized in 12 different preceding operations across several EU and South American countries.

The network is believed to have utilised maritime and air trafficking routes, employing shipping containers and other clandestine methods to transport the illicit substances.

The criminal network is also suspected of having smuggled cannabis to the EU from and via countries such as Albania, Thailand, and the United States.