The destruction of confiscated tobacco at the Port of Bar Free Zone is officially underway. The task is being carried out by the state-owned Deponija company. This destruction is taking place on-site and is monitored through video surveillance, with oversight from teams and a commission consisting of local customs officers, police personnel, and representatives from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMCR).

The process is being conducted in a credible and well-organised manner after an inventory of the tobacco was completed.

With this decisive action against tobacco smuggling, we have struck at the core of the Montenegrin underground. For years, tobacco has fueled organised crime and significantly contributed to its evolution.

The individuals who managed tobacco smuggling also controlled the flow of money, influence, and, regrettably, politics for decades. Each seized and destroyed pack of cigarettes translates to less revenue for the mafia, increased safety for citizens, and greater funding for the national budget.

This operation serves as a clear message that the mafia no longer enjoys the logistical backing of the system. Cigarettes, once the emblem of the underground, now symbolize the downfall of crime. Where cigarettes were once a shield for lawbreakers, they now stand as evidence of their vulnerabilities, thanks to the determined and unwavering actions of the Government of Montenegro.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom for their ongoing support in this initiative. The British Embassy in Podgorica and HMRC have played a vital role in providing legal and operational assistance during both the inventory and the destruction of confiscated tobacco. Their support has been essential in establishing a transparent and credible methodology.

Additionally, I wish to thank Prime Minister Spajić for his steadfast backing of this process, as well as the Customs Administration, which handled a significant portion of the work with dedication and responsibility. I extend my appreciation to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Police Directorate, and the National Security Agency, for their consistent contributions and patriotic commitment to this crucial task for our country.