This morning, Rajko Smolović from Bar and Novak Joksimović from Podgorica were arrested under the orders of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) as part of an ongoing operation called “General.” They’re suspected of being involved in a large criminal group that was trafficking tons of cocaine internationally.
There are more names on the criminal report, some of whom are already in jail, while others are still on the run. The police are currently doing urgent investigation work in Podgorica and Bar, targeting people involved in creating the criminal organization and smuggling drugs. The SDT will update the public after all the investigations are finished.
Smolović and Joksimović are believed to be part of the same criminal network, which operates under the code name “General.” The main suspects leading the group are Vaso Ulić from Podgorica and Radoje Zvicer, the leader of the Kavac clan, who is currently on the run.
The arrest operation began early in the morning, and police are still conducting searches throughout the day in several locations. Back in July 2024, the police arrested several people involved in the same operation, suspected of smuggling over 2.5 tons of cocaine from South America to Australia between 2020 and 2021 using encrypted apps like SKY and Anom.
These shipments were sent in multiple containers by sea. In October 2020, one shipment of 1,570 kg was intercepted by Colombian authorities, and in June 2021, another 900 kg was seized off the coast of Australia.
The SDT and SPO worked for months with international agencies like EUROPOL, the FBI, the DEA, and the Australian Federal Police to track down the criminals. They also used encrypted messages and other secret surveillance methods to gather evidence.
One of the main figures in this operation was Damir Mandić, who, despite being in prison since 2004, was still actively communicating with the group. Mandić, along with others like Ivan Delić and Vaso Ulić, played a key role in organizing the trafficking.
The SDT has gathered a large amount of evidence, including messages exchanged between group members, to prove their involvement in the drug smuggling activities. They have more than 20 people under investigation as part of this operation.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
