The Special State Prosecutor’s Office suspects that Dusko Golubovic amassed significant family wealth through cash and real estate investments, both domestically in Montenegro and abroad, by laundering millions of euros from illegal activities.

The former agent of the National Security Agency (ANB) and officer of the Police Directorate was arrested yesterday at approximately 8:30 AM in his family apartment located in the Normal Company building. By noon, he was escorted from the premises of the Special Police Department (SPO), after which searches of several properties with an estimated value of millions in Podgorica, linked to him or his family, commenced.

SPO officers conducted searches in an apartment in Podgorica, a family home in Donja Gorica, and an impressive business and residential complex equipped with a spa and a swimming pool spanning over 900 square meters in that area.

Both Golubović and his defense attorney, lawyer Velibor Markovic, were present during the searches.

As the SPO’s investigation includes numerous properties throughout Montenegro registered under Golubović or related individuals, it is anticipated that searches will extend to the coastal region and other northern areas today.

Golubović was interrogated by the special prosecutor last night at around 9 PM, Tanje Čolan Deretić, who will determine whether to impose detention of up to 72 hours.

“It remains unclear what specific charges he faces, as he wasn’t presented to the prosecutor’s office alongside a criminal complaint. There is solely an order to search his residence and other locations used by him or his family, or previously utilized by family members,” lawyer Marković informed “Vijesti”.

He asserts that the order only cites the offense of money laundering and does not indicate involvement in a criminal organization.

“A few items were taken during the search, but nothing incriminating was discovered, meaning no evidence linking him to this or any other crime,” Marković stated.

“Vijesti” has learned that multiple vehicles were temporarily seized in the course of the search.

Marković: He has documentation.

The detained former operative is charged with money laundering under Article 268 of Montenegro’s Criminal Code.

According to sources within the investigation, extensive evidence of suspect cash transactions connected to the purchase of valuable properties in Montenegro, including high-end coastal locations, has emerged from a protracted investigation by the SDT and SPO, with foreign partners also reportedly assisting.

Lawyer Marković asserts, in a statement to “Vijesti”, that Golubović possesses all necessary documentation proving the origins of his valuable assets.

“We have documentation regarding the origins of all his property, certified by the relevant authorities and public entities,” Marković said.

While confirming that some items were seized during the search, the lawyer emphasized that “nothing compromising was found.”

“No evidence was discovered linking him to any criminal activities,” asserts Marković.

Article 268 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who aims to conceal or misrepresent the origin of money or property, or who knowingly acquires, holds, or uses money or property derived from illegal activities, shall face imprisonment for one to ten years if the amounts exceed 40,000 euros.

MANS: Illicit enrichment

In early 2024, MANS released results from a lengthy investigation into Duško Golubović’s assets, revealing that the retired secret agent’s family spent over a million euros on real estate and luxury vehicles over a decade, which is disproportionate to their declared income.

Golubović asserted that all properties were legally obtained with family assistance, insisting he has never committed any crimes.

Research indicated that in 2013, his then-20-year-old son Luka acquired an apartment, a luxury Audi S3, and parts of business premises, valued at nearly 200,000 euros.

The following year, Golubović’s wife Danijela purchased a business space for 45,000 euros, which she later transferred to their daughter Sara.

In 2015, a new agreement with the company “Čelebić” was made, wherein Luka Golubović acquired two garage spaces for 13,000 euros in a building where he already owned an apartment.

Over the next few years, Luka and Danijela continued their investments in properties, adding garages, apartments, and luxury vehicles—such as a “Mercedes G Class” (105,000 euros), a BMW X4 (57,000 euros), and a “Porsche Macan” (78,000 euros)—to their growing portfolio.

In mid-2018, MANS reported that Duško Golubović purchased a 69 m² apartment in the “Normal Company” building, near the Podgorica temple, for 93,000 euros, claiming the funds were a gift from his son Luka, who previously sold a property for the same amount, according to the Žabljak cadastre.

Ownership of that property was subsequently transferred to Sara’s name.

Just three months later, in October 2018, Duško Golubović acquired business space in the building adjacent to Capital Plaza in Podgorica, measuring 127 m², along with two garages, for a total price near 180,000 euros.

“In the purchase agreement, Golubović agreed to pay nearly 80,000 euros upon signing, with the remaining 100,000 euros due within a year. Unlike the prior agreement for the apartment purchase, this one did not disclose the source of the funds used for the acquisition of the business premises and garages,” asserts MANS.

In a family-business arrangement, Golubović transferred a business space and garage in that building to his younger son Igor.

Upon his return to the security system in 2019, following his appointment as Deputy Head of the Department for Suppression of Serious Crimes by the then director of the Police Administration Veselin Veljović, Golubović continued to enrich himself with valuable holdings.

Within less than three months in 2019, he acquired two Volkswagen Passat vehicles for a combined cost of 56,000 euros, one of which was armored and featured specialized modifications.

Despite modest reported earnings at the time—Golubović earned 840 euros monthly in the police, while his wife earned only 450 euros—these earnings did not hinder the Golubović family’s investment ventures. In 2019, he reported having savings of 20,000 euros.

Two years after, Golubović’s wife acquired two garages in the “Normal Company” building, where the family already owned two apartments. That year also saw a 62 m² commercial space registered to their daughter, purchased for 65,000 euros. The commercial space is located in a building neighboring Capital Plaza.

According to MANS, data from the Podgorica cadastre reveals that the Golubovićs did not purchase this property directly from an investor, but the previous owner acquired the space from the developer at a price nearly 40 percent higher than what was later sold to the agent.

Portrait of an agent: Golubović was followed by scandals

Duško Golubović served as a secret service agent for over two and a half decades, later transitioning to an officer role in the Police Directorate, where he was a close associate of accused operative and former Assistant Director of the Police Directorate, Zoran Lazović.

After their respective careers in the secret service ended in early 2015, Golubović and Lazović reunited at the Police Directorate after a four-year retirement. Their return coincided with former police chief Veselin Veljović’s return, who appointed Lazović as his assistant in the Organized Crime Sector while Golubović was made the Deputy Head of the Department for Suppression of Serious Crimes.

Golubović retired in the summer of 2023, submitting a request for retirement after the April decision by the then SBPOK coordinator and head of the Special Police Department, Predrag Šuković, officially terminated the department’s presence in the UP organizational chart.

The department’s closure followed the arrest of former Acting Assistant Director of the Police Administration, Dejan Knežević, related to suspicions of his involvement in a criminal organization, resulting in all department officers being either temporarily reassigned or subject to multiple investigations and checks.

Throughout his tenure in security, Golubović’s career was marred by numerous scandals and media allegations, which culminated in MANS’s investigation concerning the value and disproportionality of his assets relative to his long-term salary in the public sector.

A months-long probe into Duško Golubović’s finances and assets revealed that his family spent over a million euros purchasing properties and luxury vehicles over ten years.

Former Acting Director of the Police Administration, Nikola Terzić, expressed discomfort during the MANS anti-corruption conference in late 2023 when discussing information about colleagues’ ties to criminal groups.

“Last night, I received information that one of the former officers purchased a vehicle for 300,000 euros while previously holding a police badge. This is operational information,” Terzić stated.

Shortly thereafter, “Vijesti” reported that UP operatives received whispers of Golubović acquiring a “Lamborghini” valued at a minimum of 300,000 euros, leading many to believe Terzić was indeed referring to him.

In April 2015, Duško Golubović, along with at least 70 operatives, exited the ANB due to legal modifications that mandated significant reforms within that sector as a condition for Montenegro’s NATO admission.

Prior to these reforms, the public was rocked by numerous scandals involving the political-security sector and conflicts between opposing factions.

Golubović’s name appeared in the “Listing” scandal—an investigation triggered in December 2011 following revelations of telephone communications between drug lord Darko Šarić and the then Prime Minister Igor Lukšić, as well as former Foreign Minister Milan Roćen. Subsequently, listings of conversations between accused drug trafficker Naser Keljmendi and Golubović were leaked to the media.

The investigation suggested it involved forgeries, yet the public never learned who initiated the affair or for whose benefit.

In November 2015, shortly after leaving service, explosives were detonated at the entrance of Golubović’s family residence in Donja Gorica. Similar incidents occurred previously at the “Grand” cafe in September and again at the “Machiato” cafe, which was owned for a period by Golubović’s wife, Danijela.

Golubović was questioned last summer in relation to the assassination of “Dan” newspaper’s editor, Duško Jovanović, providing testimony as a citizen during that process.

Duško Jovanović was murdered on May 27, 2004. To date, only Damir Mandić has been held responsible for the crime, while the orders and identities of the direct perpetrators remain unknown even after nearly 21 years.

“Golub only gives banks to children, and no one else.”

In the summer of 2020, the millions associated with Duško Golubović were referenced by Petar Lazović, an arrested security guard and son of Golubović’s long-time colleague, also implicated, Zoran Lazović.

Lazović discussed politics with Radoje Zvicer on Sky Communication, suggesting that businessman Ranko Ubović would “break a couple of million” for one election, influenced by his father Zoran Lazović.

On August 9, in a group text with organized crime leader Radoje Zvicer and fugitive police officer Ljubo Milović, he exchanged numerous messages using a once-secure app.

While confiding with members of the Kavač clan, Lazović criticized Golubović for failing to financially support their endorsed political initiatives.

“Brother, you know the situation. Whoever goes past Z and Tigar helps anyone, while anyone else gives support except for them! Only Z with his associates doesn’t pretend and doesn’t deny his allies; it hasn’t cost him anything. He could have millions like Golub, but Golub only provides for his kids and no one else! Only Z and Tigar donate a couple of million for elections because Z tells Tigar to do so, and this Z takes after his brother. You know this. It’s not that I’m rooting for Z, but that’s how it is, people like that are you and Liam and no one else I know! You’ve helped every best friend and uplifted the village… and now I’m blamed because the others purchased the biggest cream! It can’t be like this!” the younger Lazović wrote to the head of the Kavač clan.

During the ongoing investigation by the SDT and SPO, an abundance of evidence reflecting suspicious cash transactions used for acquiring valuable properties in Montenegro—including those in elite coastal areas and abroad—has been uncovered. Additionally, the SDT has tracked bank accounts involved in these purportedly suspicious activities, “Vijesti” has reported.

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