Montenegrin mafia
The Montenegrin mafia refers to the various criminal organizations based in Montenegro or composed of Montenegrins. Outside of the country Montenegrin gangs are active throughout Europe-notably Serbia. The gangs tend to specialize in narcotics smuggling, tobacco smuggling and arms trafficking.
In 2021, Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment of Montenegro identified 10 high-risk organized crime groups in Montenegro, with Kavač and Škaljari clans being by far most prominent, and playing the central role in so called Balkan cartel. Most of the other high risk organized crime groups in Montenegro are either subservient to, or allied with one of two aforementioned Kotor clans. Major crime groups in Montenegro specialize in narcotics smuggling, although highly profitable cigarette smuggling is a focus of several criminal associations.
History
The history of the Montenegrin mafia is deeply intertwined with the political and social upheavals in the Balkans, particularly following the breakup of Yugoslavia. Montenegro, a mountainous region, had long been a site of illicit trade, but it was in the post-Yugoslav era that organized crime flourished. The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s created a power vacuum and led to widespread instability in the region, allowing criminal organizations to thrive.During the 1990s, Montenegro’s strategic location along the Adriatic coast and its proximity to Italy and the Balkan countries made it a key hub for smuggling drugs, arms, and other contraband. Montenegro's mafia, often referred to as the "Montenegrin clans," began to emerge as major players in the trafficking networks, with many of those crime clans involved in cocaine trafficking from South America. The most prominent of these are the Kavač and Škaljari clans, which engaged in violent turf wars over control of drug routes. Their rivalry led to numerous murders and assassinations, not only within Montenegro but across the region, including neighboring Serbia and Croatia.
According to investigations, the Montenegrin groups have established, since the early 1990s, a strong alliance with the Camorra and the Sacra Corona Unita, which started in the cigarette smuggling trade but has become in particular an strategic alliance for the entry of drugs into Italy.
Corruption and weak state institutions in Montenegro allowed these criminal groups to thrive, as political and economic elites frequently turned a blind eye to their activities. Many Montenegrin politicians, police officials, and businessmen were accused of collusion with criminal organizations, which helped maintain the mafia’s influence over the country's economy. The mafia’s reach extended beyond drugs, as criminal groups were also involved in extortion, money laundering, and illegal gambling. Their ties to local businesses and even the tourism sector gave them a powerful foothold in the Montenegrin economy.
As Montenegro gained independence in 2006, organized crime remained deeply embedded in the country’s political and economic structures. The new government struggled to curb the influence of criminal groups, and efforts to join the European Union were hampered by ongoing corruption and the mafia’s control over key sectors of the economy. Despite efforts to strengthen the rule of law and reform the police force, organized crime remained a significant issue.
Internationally, Montenegrin mafia groups expanded their reach, forging connections with criminal networks in Italy, Serbia and Colombia. These groups became key players in the smuggling of cocaine, arms, and other illicit goods into Europe, utilizing Montenegro’s ports and Adriatic coast as key transit points.
While the government has made some strides in addressing organized crime, including increased cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, the mafia’s influence continues to persist. The Kavač and Škaljari clans, along with other smaller groups, continue to dominate the criminal landscape in Montenegro, and the country's struggle with corruption and organized crime remains an ongoing challenge.
Kotor clans
Kotor is a coastal city situated within eponymous bay, which is today a part of Montenegro. Historically, Kotor was a major commerce hub and a center of maritime trade in southern Adriatic. Sea faring traditions of Kotor, and its status as an education hub for maritime studies result in sailor / officer being a disproportionally popular career choice in Kotor.During the 1990s, Montenegro seamen have been known to sporadically engage in small-scale cocaine smuggling, usually as a one off "side hustles". However, in early 2000s, Darko Šarić and Dragan Dudić "Fric" consolidated parts of the network of Montenegro sailors into a criminal organization, engaged in large scale trans-Atlantic cocaine smuggling. By mid-2000s, this organized crime group emerged as one of the major importers of cocaine into Europe.
Despite the scope of Šarić / Dudić operation, "Maximus" OCG was not widely known to the public, and generally did not engage in violent acts - its existence in Montenegro was visible primarily through its money laundering enterprises - "Maximus" and "Top Hill" nightclubs and other endeavours.
In 2009, large scale international law enforcement operation "Balkan Warrior" has dealt a significant blow to Darko Šarić criminal network; while Dragan Dudić "Fric" was murdered in Kotor in 2010. This signified the end of "harmonious" business-oriented era of Kotor organized crime group. In the years that followed, power vacuum and turmoil in the organization exploded into an all-out war between two major factions of former "Maximus" OCG.
As of 2025, gang war of "Kavač" OCG and "Škaljari" OCG has claimed lives of over 70 persons. The 2021 takedown of Sky ECC has dealt a significant blow to both OCGs, and violence subsided in 2021-2023 period. However, a new wave of murders began in 2025, triggered by a vendetta of Cetinje branch members of both OCGs.
Both clans have offshoots and associates in Balkans region; European strongholds include southern Spain, southern Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Turkey.
Also, both clans maintain a direct presence in South America - port cities in Brazil, border regions of Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina; with some presence registered in Ecuador and Peru.
Although weakened by Sky ECC takedown and other law enforcement initiatives, Kotor clans remain the most powerful criminal enterprises in Montenegro, and possibly in Southeast Europe.
Kavač clan
Named after the Kotor village of Kavač, this clan is currently led by Radoje Zvicer. "Kavač" OCG maintains close links with remainders of the Šarić clan, while Veljko Belivuk criminal group can practically be considered as a Serbia branch.The clan also has a strong presence in Herceg Novi, Podgorica, Nikšić and Cetinje.
Sky ECC data has revealed that "Kavač" OCG was able to penetrate higher echelons of rival "Škaljari" OCG during 2020, by using sophisticated deception techniques. Particularly publicized case was abduction and subsequent months-long illegal detention of Mile Radulović, leader of "Barska" OCG. During the detention, members of "Kavač" OCG used Sky ECC phone of Mile Radulović to lure at least four members of opposing clan to their deaths.
Sky ECC data has shown that "Kavač" OCG is a highly hierarchical organization, with Radoje Zvicer as leader; and his long time friends, relatives and associates in high leadership roles - Milan Vujotić, Radoje Živković, Slobodan Kašćelan, Dragan Knežević and others...
Škaljari clan
Named after the Kotor village of Škaljari, this clan was led by Jovan Vukotić, until his murder in 2022. Unlike its rival "Kavač" OCG, this clan was highly decentralized - it operates as an association of highly independent regional clans - "Barska," OCG, "Budvanska" OCG, "Zemunska / Bojović" OCG.After suffering heavy losses in gang war with "Kavač" OCG, with entire Kotor and Bar branches decapitated, current backbone of "Škaljari" OCG are Cetinje branch, led by Vladan Radoman; Serbian branch, led by Radomir Baćović; and Budva branch, led by Ljubiša Marko "Kan".