DPM Bečić: Montenegro achieves best individual result among 34 countries participating in ASSET 2026 operation

Nearly 43 public gatherings and events across Montenegro, attended by tens of thousands of citizens, were secured peacefully, stably and without major incidents by 1,300 police officers. Podgorica, Cetinje, Nikšić and other cities and towns demonstrated that the State has the capacity to mark its most important dates with dignity, responsibility and security.

In Operation ASSET 2026, Montenegro achieved the best individual result among 34 participating countries. Assets linked to criminal activities worth approximately EUR 2.5 million were identified. In Kotor, an armed robbery theft was solved in record time, the escape of four foreign nationals was prevented, and nearly EUR 100,000 was recovered.

I would like to express sincere recognition and gratitude to the officers of the Police Directorate and the National Security Agency for their professional, responsible and timely actions.

The previous days have clearly shown that Montenegro has strong and functional institutions capable of protecting the constitutional order, preserving state stability and responding decisively to any attempt to endanger the security of citizens or support criminal structures.

It is especially important to emphasise that all gatherings, including events in Podgorica, Grahovac and Cetinje, proceeded in a stable manner and without serious incidents, thanks to a high level of coordination, preventive action and the presence of competent authorities. Despite attempts at destabilisation through hybrid activities aimed at causing panic and disrupting public order and peace, state institutions demonstrated full readiness to protect citizens and preserve security.

The incident recorded during the central celebration in Podgorica was quickly brought under control thanks to the efficient response of the police and good coordination with the event organisers. On that day, Montenegro demonstrated institutional maturity, stability and the ability to commemorate its most important national dates with dignity, peace and security.

I would also like to particularly commend the officers of the Border Police Sector who, during the holiday period and despite significantly increased traffic intensity and a large influx of travelers and tourists, ensured a stable security environment and the smooth flow of people and goods across the state border through professional and responsible work.

By engaging all available capacities, maintaining the full functionality of all border control lines and ensuring efficient inter-agency coordination, nearly 188,000 passengers and more than 46,000 vehicles crossed the state border without major delays or incidents.

An equally important result was achieved through the international operation ASSET 2026, in which the Police Directorate of Montenegro recorded the best individual result among all 34 participating countries in identifying assets acquired through criminal activities.

The value of the assets identified by officers of the Police Directorate of Montenegro during this operational week, both domestically and abroad, amounts to approximately EUR 2.5 million.

At the request of the Montenegrin investigators, partner services identified real estate abroad worth approximately USD 900,000, as well as several passenger motor vehicles suspected of representing assets acquired through criminal activities.

At the same time, acting upon requests from partner services, the Montenegrin investigators identified movable and immovable property in Montenegro, multiple bank accounts and loan agreements, as well as a luxury vessel estimated at around EUR 500,000 and several luxury vehicles valued at more than EUR 1,000,000. These assets will be subject to further work by the Police Directorate and the competent State Prosecutor’s Office, while the actual ownership of the assets will be determined through continued international cooperation and joint investigations.

I would also like to commend the swift and coordinated action of Police Directorate officers who solved the armed robbery theft committed in Kotor in record time and prevented the escape of four foreign nationals suspected of this serious criminal offense.

Through the efficient actions of police officers from the Security Departments of Kotor, Bar and Ulcinj, four foreign nationals were arrested after attempting to leave the coastal region and evade responsibility following the commission of the crime. It is particularly significant that, thanks to the rapid police response, the majority of the money suspected to originate from the criminal offense — nearly EUR 100,000 — was recovered and seized, along with foreign currency, gold-like bars and other items connected to the case.

All these activities together confirm that Montenegro today has a security sector that acts decisively and professionally, both in protecting public order and peace and in combating organised and international crime.