The investigating judge at the Basic Court in Kotor has today placed Ilija Racanović, an alleged member of an organized crime group (OKG), under house arrest.

According to a statement from the Police Directorate (UP), Racanović was apprehended in Budva after authorities discovered a loaded pistol in his possession, alongside eight additional bullets.

In a press release issued today, the Police Department detailed that Budva police escorted Racanović to the investigative judge of the Basic Court in Kotor this morning, where the judge, upon the recommendation of the state prosecutor, enforced a restriction on his ability to leave the premises.

“We remind you that the individual was apprehended on May 23, 2025, as part of heightened efforts to monitor individuals of operational interest, prevent and combat criminal activities and violence, and confiscate weapons held illegally. During a specific operation targeting members of an organized crime group, police from the Regional Security Center ‘South’ – Budva Security Department seized a Beretta pistol, which was found loaded with a bullet in the chamber, along with eight rounds of ammunition,” the UP statement elaborates.

The statement further indicates that during this operation, Budva police controlled three more individuals linked to organized crime during a focused inspection of a catering establishment: KR (33) from Podgorica, Ž.K. (25) from Cetinje, and NP (26) from Cetinje. Additionally, an 18-year-old named PP from Budva, who is known to associate closely with individuals of operational interest and organized crime members, was also controlled near the establishment.

“As part of the same operation, two vehicles were seized from the individuals for further investigation. On May 24, 2025, Racanović was presented to the state prosecutor at the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Kotor, upon suspicion of illegally possessing and carrying firearms and explosives. The prosecutor subsequently ordered his detention for up to 72 hours, pending his appearance before the investigative judge,” the UP stated.

The institution also noted that in February 2025, Racanović was arrested in Pljevlja along with four other organized crime group members when two handguns with removed serial numbers were discovered in their possession.

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